Leader in entertainment, recording and Events Company in Nigeria, Storm 360 has announced its intention to partner with Samsung Mobile a world class company for a special valentine concert holding on Sunday February 13 at the top class Lagos venue, The Landmark Village on Corporation Drive, near Oniru Estate Lekki.
This announcement came after Samsung had put smiles on the faces of 103 Nigerians at the Samsung Win- a milli- Promo held last weekend in Lagos where three lucky people won1 million naira each, 100 persons smiled home with a stylish touch screen Samsung handsets while 10 others each went home with LCDs, Liquefied Crystal Display.
A press statement made available to Daily Champion by the Head of Mobile Phones Divisions, Samsung Mobile, Nigeria, Mr. Peter Lee, said “this special event is being promoted and produced for the love of music and in addition to Samsung strong partnerships with Nigeria companies to invest in long term relationships”.
Mr. Lee further said tickets for the event are exclusively available online at www.naira.com or any Chicken Republic Outlets in Lagos from this weekend.
Notable musicians like multiple award winning Nigerian artist Naeto C, Sasha a Channel O 2009 award winner for the best female artist in Africa, Guitar man, Tosin Martins, Banky W, Timi Dakolo and many biggest names in the Naija Music scene in Hip Hop, Soul and RNB are expected to perform at the event.
In a related development, three Nigerians, emerged millionaires at the Samsung’s Win-a-Milli draw promo alongside 100 customers who went home with touch screen Samsung handsets and 10 others who went home with Liquid Crystal Display (LCDs).
The latest millionaires who emerged at the event include Messrs Opeyemi Olawale, Okoro Fredrick and Agu Nzeribe.
The promo, designed to reward customers and empower users of the brand to fulfill their dreams, according to the Head, Mobile Phones of Samsung Nigeria, Peter Lee.
He also said that the draw, which held in Lagos, Nigeria and attended by select dealers and officials of the electronic giant, saw three millionaires coming top.
Mr. Lee noted that Win-a-Milli promo was Samsung’s end-of-year gift for all its esteemed customers, pointing out that the initiative is in line with the company’s brand philosophy of providing succour to its esteemed customers.
In addition, he said, Samsung is offering customers various categories of prizes in the exciting promo, including 100 Samsung Dual-SIM phones amongst other consolation prizes.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Zain’s Rewardz promo hooks 1.5m subscribers
LEADING mobile operator, Zain Nigeria has announced that its Rewardz programme, which began barely three months ago, has registered over 1.5 million customers.
In a press statement to ITRealms Online, the Public Relations Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine, said customers who have joined the Rewardz programme will begin to reap the fruits of their labour as they have now accumulated over N80 million worth of ‘rewardz’ points which can be redeemed immediately from the Zain’s Rewards list of fabulous prizes.
He also said those who have attained the Silver and Gold membership status in the Rewardz scheme programme are now enjoying special discount rates at select Zain ‘Rewardz’ Points such as Marcopolo, Victoria Island, Lagos and the VIP Lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and other locations in other parts of the country, while some other customers are swapping their points for instant airtime reward.
The points gathered in the Zain Rewardz scheme also allow customers redeem other prizes, including: return tickets to Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, a weekend in Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross Rivers, Plasma Televisions, refrigerators, airline tickets, and iPods, among others.
The points also give users an opportunity to enjoy special discounts and privileges such as 30 per cent discount on accommodation at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island; access to Airport VIP Lounge and priority check-in at the international wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport; enjoy discounts at exclusive restaurants and receive first-class priority service at all Zain Shops, amongst other benefits.
On the success of the scheme, the statement also quoted the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Shamel Hanafi, as saying that the loyalty scheme programme was created to reward customers for their loyalty to the Zain network.
He explained that beyond providing telecommunications service to its customers, the operator seeks creative ways to delight them and the Rewardz programme is not just an industry first, but it is unique and designed to give the customer reason to believe in them.
He, therefore, urged customers who have not yet signed up for the offer to do so by texting REWARDZ to 797 or ‘yes’ to 797 as they also stand to reap immense benefits from the on-going Zain Talk for Love promo.
Zain customers who choose to participate in the scheme could earn points by using airtime through voice calls, SMS (short message services) or data download/upload.
The prizes to be redeemed by customers are determined by the number of points earned.
For every N10.00 spent on any Zain service, a customer earns a REWARDZ Point.
Usually the points will be added after 24 hours. The number of REWARDZ Points earned could be verified by sending an SMS containing the word: POINTS to 797 or by dialing *141*797*2#.
Under the terms of the programme, customers can choose to accumulate “REWARDZ points” and “Level Points” and therefore, redeem big tangible rewards.
To redeem any item in the ‘Zain Rewardz Catalogue’, customers are required to SMS “RD” followed by space, then, “PRODUCT CODE” of the item(s) of choice to 797” for instance. by sending RD 0000 to 797.
Customers who redeem non-GSM items will receive “Voucher codes” via SMS which they can present at designated Zain ‘Rewardz Partner Stores’ to receive their item of choice. All vouchers are valid for up to six months.
On the other hand, Zain will send SMS to customers who redeem GSM related items such as airtime, SMS and data bundle, confirming the transaction and their phone number would be credited directly with the right amount of airtime redeemed.
Registered customers are classified into Bronze, Silver and Gold categories depending on the number of points (‘Level Points’) they have earned or accumulated.
By default, all newly registered customers are placed in the Bronze category and can move to other categories as they use more airtime. Level point of 3000 will earn the customer a Silver card while 6000 points is required to reach the Gold category.
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In a press statement to ITRealms Online, the Public Relations Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine, said customers who have joined the Rewardz programme will begin to reap the fruits of their labour as they have now accumulated over N80 million worth of ‘rewardz’ points which can be redeemed immediately from the Zain’s Rewards list of fabulous prizes.
He also said those who have attained the Silver and Gold membership status in the Rewardz scheme programme are now enjoying special discount rates at select Zain ‘Rewardz’ Points such as Marcopolo, Victoria Island, Lagos and the VIP Lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and other locations in other parts of the country, while some other customers are swapping their points for instant airtime reward.
The points gathered in the Zain Rewardz scheme also allow customers redeem other prizes, including: return tickets to Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, a weekend in Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross Rivers, Plasma Televisions, refrigerators, airline tickets, and iPods, among others.
The points also give users an opportunity to enjoy special discounts and privileges such as 30 per cent discount on accommodation at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island; access to Airport VIP Lounge and priority check-in at the international wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport; enjoy discounts at exclusive restaurants and receive first-class priority service at all Zain Shops, amongst other benefits.
On the success of the scheme, the statement also quoted the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Shamel Hanafi, as saying that the loyalty scheme programme was created to reward customers for their loyalty to the Zain network.
He explained that beyond providing telecommunications service to its customers, the operator seeks creative ways to delight them and the Rewardz programme is not just an industry first, but it is unique and designed to give the customer reason to believe in them.
He, therefore, urged customers who have not yet signed up for the offer to do so by texting REWARDZ to 797 or ‘yes’ to 797 as they also stand to reap immense benefits from the on-going Zain Talk for Love promo.
Zain customers who choose to participate in the scheme could earn points by using airtime through voice calls, SMS (short message services) or data download/upload.
The prizes to be redeemed by customers are determined by the number of points earned.
For every N10.00 spent on any Zain service, a customer earns a REWARDZ Point.
Usually the points will be added after 24 hours. The number of REWARDZ Points earned could be verified by sending an SMS containing the word: POINTS to 797 or by dialing *141*797*2#.
Under the terms of the programme, customers can choose to accumulate “REWARDZ points” and “Level Points” and therefore, redeem big tangible rewards.
To redeem any item in the ‘Zain Rewardz Catalogue’, customers are required to SMS “RD” followed by space, then, “PRODUCT CODE” of the item(s) of choice to 797” for instance. by sending RD 0000 to 797.
Customers who redeem non-GSM items will receive “Voucher codes” via SMS which they can present at designated Zain ‘Rewardz Partner Stores’ to receive their item of choice. All vouchers are valid for up to six months.
On the other hand, Zain will send SMS to customers who redeem GSM related items such as airtime, SMS and data bundle, confirming the transaction and their phone number would be credited directly with the right amount of airtime redeemed.
Registered customers are classified into Bronze, Silver and Gold categories depending on the number of points (‘Level Points’) they have earned or accumulated.
By default, all newly registered customers are placed in the Bronze category and can move to other categories as they use more airtime. Level point of 3000 will earn the customer a Silver card while 6000 points is required to reach the Gold category.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
MainOne submarine nears completion
Chairman, Main One Cable Company, Mr. Fola Adeola, has announced the commencement of laying final high capacity fibre optic cable from Seixal, Portugal through the coast of West Africa to Ghana and Nigeria.
Adeola who spoke in Lagos, said the cable anticipated to go live in June 2010 is bringing the much expected international capacity into a region with explosive growth in tele-density in the past 10 years.
He also said they were pleased to achieve this major milestone within project timeline.
“We remain focused on delivering the project on schedule,” he declared.
Adeola recalled that Main One in November 2009 successfully completed the installation of the shore ends of the cable in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and Seixal, Portugal.
He pointed out that the commencement of the end-to-end laying of the full stretch of the fiber optic from Portugal signifies the final stages of the ambitious project.
For the chief executive, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, “Now that the 7,000 kilometres trunk of the cable is being installed, we are pleased that our efforts over the last 18 months are coming to fruition.”
A wholly owned by African investors, Main One Cable Company has the support of African Finance Corporation, Nigeria; Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund, South Africa; FBN Capital, Nigeria; Skye Bank, Nigeria and Main Street Technologies, Nigeria which is the project sponsor.
She further revealed that Main One is building two landing stations in Accra and Lagos which will be complete next month.
“Equipment installation and end-to-end testing of the cable system will then follow, prior to service launch in June,” she said.
Additionally, she said, Main One would provide open access to 1.92 Terabits per second of capacity to the West African region at prices less than 50 percent of current wholesale capacity prices.
The international capacity that Main One is bringing into the West African sub-region will consolidate the explosive growth of telecommunications in the sub-region in recent years.
In addition to providing a major boost to Internet access, Main One will help to considerably minimise the difficulties of switching traffic between African countries and eliminate the inconveniences and added costs of first routing traffic to Europe.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Adeola who spoke in Lagos, said the cable anticipated to go live in June 2010 is bringing the much expected international capacity into a region with explosive growth in tele-density in the past 10 years.
He also said they were pleased to achieve this major milestone within project timeline.
“We remain focused on delivering the project on schedule,” he declared.
Adeola recalled that Main One in November 2009 successfully completed the installation of the shore ends of the cable in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and Seixal, Portugal.
He pointed out that the commencement of the end-to-end laying of the full stretch of the fiber optic from Portugal signifies the final stages of the ambitious project.
For the chief executive, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, “Now that the 7,000 kilometres trunk of the cable is being installed, we are pleased that our efforts over the last 18 months are coming to fruition.”
A wholly owned by African investors, Main One Cable Company has the support of African Finance Corporation, Nigeria; Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund, South Africa; FBN Capital, Nigeria; Skye Bank, Nigeria and Main Street Technologies, Nigeria which is the project sponsor.
She further revealed that Main One is building two landing stations in Accra and Lagos which will be complete next month.
“Equipment installation and end-to-end testing of the cable system will then follow, prior to service launch in June,” she said.
Additionally, she said, Main One would provide open access to 1.92 Terabits per second of capacity to the West African region at prices less than 50 percent of current wholesale capacity prices.
The international capacity that Main One is bringing into the West African sub-region will consolidate the explosive growth of telecommunications in the sub-region in recent years.
In addition to providing a major boost to Internet access, Main One will help to considerably minimise the difficulties of switching traffic between African countries and eliminate the inconveniences and added costs of first routing traffic to Europe.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
G&D, ARM partner on anti-theft mobile solution
Specialist for security technology Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) and ARM TrustZone technology have announced a strategic partnership for the development of highly-secure mobile phone platforms.
With this partnership ARM TrustZone technology, which creates a protected area in advanced systems-on-chip, and the highly-secure MobiCore operating system developed by G&D, sensitive applications such as electronic payment and online banking via mobile phone will be efficiently protected from security threats. As a first step the two companies will develop a joint prototype.
Commenting on the agreement, the head of the New Business Division at G&D, Dr. Kai Grassie said “We will be working with ARM to develop the security architecture for the next generation of mobile phones. This will enable people to access highly valuable services with convenience and security.”
On his part, executive vice president, marketing, ARM, Ian Drew said “ARM TrustZone technology is already an integral part of the ARM Cortex - A series processors which are currently being deployed in smartphones by many of the industry’s leading handset manufacturers.
This collaboration with G&D will enable us to make rapid progress towards enabling secure transactions in next-generation mobile devices.”
Acceptance of mobile applications such as banking, ticketing and payment solutions rests on the security of device and background systems involved. For this reason, both companies have been working on innovative security concepts.
The interplay of TrustZone and MobiCore ensures that if online services require security-sensitive functions such as entry of user name and password or data output on a display, these functions are transferred to the MobiCore high-security operating system running in the TrustZone protected area of an ARM application processor.
As the security-sensitive functions are executed, MobiCore maintains control of the secure area of a system-on-chip. Users can therefore be certain that the data they have entered, such as their username and password, cannot be manipulated by malware on the phone during a payment transaction.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
With this partnership ARM TrustZone technology, which creates a protected area in advanced systems-on-chip, and the highly-secure MobiCore operating system developed by G&D, sensitive applications such as electronic payment and online banking via mobile phone will be efficiently protected from security threats. As a first step the two companies will develop a joint prototype.
Commenting on the agreement, the head of the New Business Division at G&D, Dr. Kai Grassie said “We will be working with ARM to develop the security architecture for the next generation of mobile phones. This will enable people to access highly valuable services with convenience and security.”
On his part, executive vice president, marketing, ARM, Ian Drew said “ARM TrustZone technology is already an integral part of the ARM Cortex - A series processors which are currently being deployed in smartphones by many of the industry’s leading handset manufacturers.
This collaboration with G&D will enable us to make rapid progress towards enabling secure transactions in next-generation mobile devices.”
Acceptance of mobile applications such as banking, ticketing and payment solutions rests on the security of device and background systems involved. For this reason, both companies have been working on innovative security concepts.
The interplay of TrustZone and MobiCore ensures that if online services require security-sensitive functions such as entry of user name and password or data output on a display, these functions are transferred to the MobiCore high-security operating system running in the TrustZone protected area of an ARM application processor.
As the security-sensitive functions are executed, MobiCore maintains control of the secure area of a system-on-chip. Users can therefore be certain that the data they have entered, such as their username and password, cannot be manipulated by malware on the phone during a payment transaction.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Microsoft: Fighting piracy through enlightenment
FOR a first time visitor to the popular Computer Village, Ikeja in Lagos, a cursory look at the rowdy nature of the environment makes it appear like a huge unorganized market for petty traders, reports CHARLES OKOH.
But the very opposite is the situation of the place, as the market remains the single largest assemblage of dealers of computer and its accessories in the West African sub region. It is a market that attracts patrons from far and near as hundreds of thousands of people visit there on daily basis.
For many this market has attracted for itself the notoriety as a hub for dealers of fake and pirated items. From hardware to software the story is the same.
A minute stay at the police post right in the market would expose one to a graphical detail of what obtains in the market. It is either a customer has dragged a trader to the police for selling fake items or for swindling them out-rightly.
Again the case of the market is another example of lack of effective monitoring and supervision on the part of the regulatory authorities. From whichever gate one enters the market what confronts a potential customer first are traders who openly offer to sell to you all kinds of pirated software at ridiculous prices.
Half-hearted measures by regulatory agencies aimed at tracking the activities of these dealers have not yielded any dividend. Investigations have shown that it is the market unions and association leaders who actually pay and organize efforts at arresting some of these traders.
Aside the vendors who form human walls as you walk in there is a huge industry of piracy going on underground. For genuine manufacturers, the Computer Village remains a graveyard for intellectual property.
It is against this backdrop that Microsoft initiated its Clean Dealer Programme two years ago to address the problem of lack of information on the part of the end users.
Going a step further, the multinational company has concluded arrangement to establish an information centre at the market where its partners as well as members of the public seeking information could access them either on the internet or through its staff at no cost to the consumer.
Addressing the media last week, its Channel Distribution Manager, Mrs. Uzo Okpaka said the company has introduced three categories of partners namely, registered or transactional, certified as well as gold certified partners.
Mrs. Okpaka who was speaking alongside the company’s System Builder Channel Partner Account Manager, Mr. Sam Adeyemi, said the partnership is graduated depending on the level of interest of the dealers.
“The transactional partners are those who just want to buy and sell for instance, Windows 07 and nothing more but when they begin to invest in resources and training people for competencies, they move up to the other levels and they have dedicated resource from Microsoft just as we give them as much information on our business because they form a significant part of our business” she said.
She said currently about 83 per cent of software are pirated in the country, and Microsoft, with this effort is driving genuine software into the Nigerian market as some of these dealers are not aware that they stand to gain more selling genuine products.
“We are thinking of ways of assisting and rewarding customers who are ready to go all the way with us. These partners are ready to sign legal documents to deal with genuine and we reward them for this,” she said.
Mrs. Okpaka said, so far, 20 partners have signed just as she called on those who have not to do so.
She said the measure is also aimed at increasing visibility and accessibility to the end users who, according to her, do not really intend to buy counterfeit but because they lack the necessary information and education on how to go for genuine products.
On how the company monitors the activities of these clean dealers, she said the agreement signed with them allows Microsoft access to their shops for auditing without prior notice.
“We do not have to go there physically, we can send somebody to go there and buy a copy and bring to us to test and see if it is genuine, these are some of the things we do to ensure that they keep to the agreement,” she said.
Lamenting the impact of the unwholesome practice of piracy, she said it has telling effects as it has denied the nation employment opportunity for its teeming youths as well as depriving her of a huge income by way of tax.
She said the company has also introduced free anti-virus for consumers to download online, provided the software is genuine Microsoft product.
On his part, Mr. Adeyemi said there are several engineers at the village who have not used genuine software, saying doing this exposes the hardware to severe damage in the long run.
“Where there is no appropriate information the wrong information will spread very fast and if you look at the cost of buying a pirated copy it could be N200 today but the effect in six months would be very high. If you load your PC with pirated copies you are open to a lot of high cut out period,” he said.
He also said the company has made its products cheap for the Nigerian market so as to encourage the people saying that with fake software the effect is too devastating to contemplate.
“Why would a person invest so much on a computer only to risk it with fake software? Most of those who patronize these people really do not know the difference because if they do they would definitely not want to risk their computers,” he said.
Some of the partners present pledged their preparedness to maintain their relationship with Microsoft because for them it has been of huge benefit to their companies.
On his part, Mr. Rotimi Adepoju of Jetlink Limited, said they do not deal in pirated products, adding that as a company policy, the management is determined to graduate their rating with Microsoft.
For Daniel Nwankwo of Headstone Technologies Limited, using pirated copy is like introducing a virus into one’s system, warning that that the effect can be fatal.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
But the very opposite is the situation of the place, as the market remains the single largest assemblage of dealers of computer and its accessories in the West African sub region. It is a market that attracts patrons from far and near as hundreds of thousands of people visit there on daily basis.
For many this market has attracted for itself the notoriety as a hub for dealers of fake and pirated items. From hardware to software the story is the same.
A minute stay at the police post right in the market would expose one to a graphical detail of what obtains in the market. It is either a customer has dragged a trader to the police for selling fake items or for swindling them out-rightly.
Again the case of the market is another example of lack of effective monitoring and supervision on the part of the regulatory authorities. From whichever gate one enters the market what confronts a potential customer first are traders who openly offer to sell to you all kinds of pirated software at ridiculous prices.
Half-hearted measures by regulatory agencies aimed at tracking the activities of these dealers have not yielded any dividend. Investigations have shown that it is the market unions and association leaders who actually pay and organize efforts at arresting some of these traders.
Aside the vendors who form human walls as you walk in there is a huge industry of piracy going on underground. For genuine manufacturers, the Computer Village remains a graveyard for intellectual property.
It is against this backdrop that Microsoft initiated its Clean Dealer Programme two years ago to address the problem of lack of information on the part of the end users.
Going a step further, the multinational company has concluded arrangement to establish an information centre at the market where its partners as well as members of the public seeking information could access them either on the internet or through its staff at no cost to the consumer.
Addressing the media last week, its Channel Distribution Manager, Mrs. Uzo Okpaka said the company has introduced three categories of partners namely, registered or transactional, certified as well as gold certified partners.
Mrs. Okpaka who was speaking alongside the company’s System Builder Channel Partner Account Manager, Mr. Sam Adeyemi, said the partnership is graduated depending on the level of interest of the dealers.
“The transactional partners are those who just want to buy and sell for instance, Windows 07 and nothing more but when they begin to invest in resources and training people for competencies, they move up to the other levels and they have dedicated resource from Microsoft just as we give them as much information on our business because they form a significant part of our business” she said.
She said currently about 83 per cent of software are pirated in the country, and Microsoft, with this effort is driving genuine software into the Nigerian market as some of these dealers are not aware that they stand to gain more selling genuine products.
“We are thinking of ways of assisting and rewarding customers who are ready to go all the way with us. These partners are ready to sign legal documents to deal with genuine and we reward them for this,” she said.
Mrs. Okpaka said, so far, 20 partners have signed just as she called on those who have not to do so.
She said the measure is also aimed at increasing visibility and accessibility to the end users who, according to her, do not really intend to buy counterfeit but because they lack the necessary information and education on how to go for genuine products.
On how the company monitors the activities of these clean dealers, she said the agreement signed with them allows Microsoft access to their shops for auditing without prior notice.
“We do not have to go there physically, we can send somebody to go there and buy a copy and bring to us to test and see if it is genuine, these are some of the things we do to ensure that they keep to the agreement,” she said.
Lamenting the impact of the unwholesome practice of piracy, she said it has telling effects as it has denied the nation employment opportunity for its teeming youths as well as depriving her of a huge income by way of tax.
She said the company has also introduced free anti-virus for consumers to download online, provided the software is genuine Microsoft product.
On his part, Mr. Adeyemi said there are several engineers at the village who have not used genuine software, saying doing this exposes the hardware to severe damage in the long run.
“Where there is no appropriate information the wrong information will spread very fast and if you look at the cost of buying a pirated copy it could be N200 today but the effect in six months would be very high. If you load your PC with pirated copies you are open to a lot of high cut out period,” he said.
He also said the company has made its products cheap for the Nigerian market so as to encourage the people saying that with fake software the effect is too devastating to contemplate.
“Why would a person invest so much on a computer only to risk it with fake software? Most of those who patronize these people really do not know the difference because if they do they would definitely not want to risk their computers,” he said.
Some of the partners present pledged their preparedness to maintain their relationship with Microsoft because for them it has been of huge benefit to their companies.
On his part, Mr. Rotimi Adepoju of Jetlink Limited, said they do not deal in pirated products, adding that as a company policy, the management is determined to graduate their rating with Microsoft.
For Daniel Nwankwo of Headstone Technologies Limited, using pirated copy is like introducing a virus into one’s system, warning that that the effect can be fatal.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
ITAN institutes ICT excellence awards
The Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), in keeping with its national leadership role in promoting and facilitating the growth of the ICT industry, has established its ICT Excellence Award programme, reports CHARLES OKOH.
The 2010 Awards are slated to be held on Thursday April 22, 2010 at the IT Public-Private Forum (ITPPF) 2010, Abuja.
A press statement to ITRealms Online endorsed by its Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Oluwole Owolabi, said the 2010 Awards will utilize the same selection procedures established for the previous awards.
“We request the assistance of all ITAN members to nominate well-qualified candidates. Each member is allowed to nominate a total of four candidates, regardless of category, in the following award categories, Public Sector Excellence; Private Sector Excellence; Digital Opportunity; and National IT Champion,” part of the statement said.
The report also stated that the deadline for forwarding the nominees to the ITAN Secretariat (coo@itan.org.ng) is February 25, 2010.
“We hope and fully expect that all ITAN members will participate in the 2010 Awards Programme; its success will be a direct result of our members submitting high-quality nominations. All members are urged to begin the process of nominating candidates immediately.”
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The 2010 Awards are slated to be held on Thursday April 22, 2010 at the IT Public-Private Forum (ITPPF) 2010, Abuja.
A press statement to ITRealms Online endorsed by its Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Oluwole Owolabi, said the 2010 Awards will utilize the same selection procedures established for the previous awards.
“We request the assistance of all ITAN members to nominate well-qualified candidates. Each member is allowed to nominate a total of four candidates, regardless of category, in the following award categories, Public Sector Excellence; Private Sector Excellence; Digital Opportunity; and National IT Champion,” part of the statement said.
The report also stated that the deadline for forwarding the nominees to the ITAN Secretariat (coo@itan.org.ng) is February 25, 2010.
“We hope and fully expect that all ITAN members will participate in the 2010 Awards Programme; its success will be a direct result of our members submitting high-quality nominations. All members are urged to begin the process of nominating candidates immediately.”
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Monday, February 08, 2010
KASU, 3 others benefit from CAI refurbished PCs scheme
Four institutions have been named beneficiaries of the Computer Aid International (CAI) refurbished personal computer scheme, just as the non-governmental organization (NGO) calls on the government to enhance its partnership in making PC affordable to Nigerians.
These include the Kaduna State University (KASU), National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria and PANAF Nursery/Primary and Secondary School, Barnawa, Kaduna.
Programme Officer, CAI West Africa, Ms. Anne Musyoki made these disclosure in Kaduna at the end of her recent facility tour of partnering organizations. According to her, over 25,000 computers have been shipped into the country by CAI since 2008, at about 60 per cent cheaper in acquiring a brand new PC, which she noted is critical information and Communications Technology (ICT) penetration being prophesied by government.
She explained that CAI usually acquired its systems as donation from corporate organisations in the United Kingdom (UK) who are changing their IT systems to newer ones, stressing that the PCs are then refurbished and shipped as donation to largely developing countries though countries such as Canada are also beneficiaries.
“More than 100 countries have benefitted from CAI computer donation since 1998 that the NGO was set up,” she declared. Ms Musyoki pointed out that government remains the chief catalysts to make computers affordable and available to the greater number of the populace.
She noted that affordable computers are the keys for digital inclusion and government must encourage organisations that are making affordable systems possible.
Such partnership, Musyoki said would boost the confidence that continuous partnership between CAI and its increasing number of beneficiaries will help in closing the country’s digital divide.
“The advantage is the cost of the procurement of these computers from Computer Aid International. A computer from CAI cost about N14,000 while an imported brand new system or a locally assembled one cost from N70,000 and above,” she said.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, KASU, Prof. Ezzeldin Mukhtar Abdulrahman observed that his institution is convinced that the partnership with CAI would make computers readily available to students and equally make “our staff to have systems at homes for their children.”
KASU is a distribution partner for CAI in Kaduna and help to ensure distribution of the systems to targeted organisations and individuals.
For the KASU’ Linkages Officer, Rilwanu Abdulsalami, CAI has helped the institute to increase its capacity for computer training for students and lecturers.
“With them, the PC-student ratio is six students to one PC in KASU. You will get to know that in institutions that have opted to go for systems distributed by CAI through us a lot of savings have been made and ploughed into other areas of development,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
These include the Kaduna State University (KASU), National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria and PANAF Nursery/Primary and Secondary School, Barnawa, Kaduna.
Programme Officer, CAI West Africa, Ms. Anne Musyoki made these disclosure in Kaduna at the end of her recent facility tour of partnering organizations. According to her, over 25,000 computers have been shipped into the country by CAI since 2008, at about 60 per cent cheaper in acquiring a brand new PC, which she noted is critical information and Communications Technology (ICT) penetration being prophesied by government.
She explained that CAI usually acquired its systems as donation from corporate organisations in the United Kingdom (UK) who are changing their IT systems to newer ones, stressing that the PCs are then refurbished and shipped as donation to largely developing countries though countries such as Canada are also beneficiaries.
“More than 100 countries have benefitted from CAI computer donation since 1998 that the NGO was set up,” she declared. Ms Musyoki pointed out that government remains the chief catalysts to make computers affordable and available to the greater number of the populace.
She noted that affordable computers are the keys for digital inclusion and government must encourage organisations that are making affordable systems possible.
Such partnership, Musyoki said would boost the confidence that continuous partnership between CAI and its increasing number of beneficiaries will help in closing the country’s digital divide.
“The advantage is the cost of the procurement of these computers from Computer Aid International. A computer from CAI cost about N14,000 while an imported brand new system or a locally assembled one cost from N70,000 and above,” she said.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, KASU, Prof. Ezzeldin Mukhtar Abdulrahman observed that his institution is convinced that the partnership with CAI would make computers readily available to students and equally make “our staff to have systems at homes for their children.”
KASU is a distribution partner for CAI in Kaduna and help to ensure distribution of the systems to targeted organisations and individuals.
For the KASU’ Linkages Officer, Rilwanu Abdulsalami, CAI has helped the institute to increase its capacity for computer training for students and lecturers.
“With them, the PC-student ratio is six students to one PC in KASU. You will get to know that in institutions that have opted to go for systems distributed by CAI through us a lot of savings have been made and ploughed into other areas of development,” he said.
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Zain dangles N.4m for Val promo
Leading mobile operator in Nigeria, Zain has announced the introduction of Talk for Love Promo, a promotion that is specially designed to reward Nigerians during the Valentine season offering alongside the sum $3,000 (about N444,000).
The promo, which began last Monday, would provide an opportunity for several Nigerians to win fantastic prizes such as airtime, dinner at a fabulous restaurant and an all expense paid trip to Dubai with $3,000.00 travel allowance.
The Talk for Love promo, which is open to both pre-paid and postpaid customers, will empower Zain customers to reap immense benefits as they share expressions of love and affection during the Valentine season.
Speaking on the new offer, the Chief Commercial Officer of Zain Nigeria, Mr. Shamel Hanafi said, that the promo reinforces Zain’s brand promise of ‘a wonderful world’, stressing that the offer is specifically designed to reward customers for being a part of the Zain Network.
“Zain Nigeria is joining millions of Nigerians to celebrate the Valentine season, a period where lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine’s cards, presenting flowers or offering confectionery. We, at Zain Nigeria , have created this offer in a bid to spread joy, happiness and goodwill during this special season,” said Hanafi.
To participate in the promo, Zain customers are expected to send an Short Messaging Service (SMS) containing a three letter key word, ‘YES’ to the short code, ‘797’, SMS is free. Upon sending this SMS, customers will be automatically registered to participate in the Zain Talk for Love promo. New customers are required to buy a new Zain SIM card.
This keyword YES to 797 also automatically registers customers for the Zain Rewardz Loyalty Scheme programme.
Speaking on the benefits of the Talk for Love offer, Hanafi said that the promo will produce 200 daily winners of N5, 000 airtime, 100 weekly winners of a Zain valentine’s pack and dinner for two at a fabulous restaurant in the winner’s location and 10 final winners of an all expense paid trip to Dubai with $3,000.00 travelling allowance each.
He also added that for a Zain customer to be eligible for the promo, he/she will have to use a minimum of N100 daily; N800.00 weekly and N5, 000.00 through the promo on calls/text/data to stand a chance of winning a wonderful valentine experience.
The Zain Talk for Love promo ends on March 15, 2010.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The promo, which began last Monday, would provide an opportunity for several Nigerians to win fantastic prizes such as airtime, dinner at a fabulous restaurant and an all expense paid trip to Dubai with $3,000.00 travel allowance.
The Talk for Love promo, which is open to both pre-paid and postpaid customers, will empower Zain customers to reap immense benefits as they share expressions of love and affection during the Valentine season.
Speaking on the new offer, the Chief Commercial Officer of Zain Nigeria, Mr. Shamel Hanafi said, that the promo reinforces Zain’s brand promise of ‘a wonderful world’, stressing that the offer is specifically designed to reward customers for being a part of the Zain Network.
“Zain Nigeria is joining millions of Nigerians to celebrate the Valentine season, a period where lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine’s cards, presenting flowers or offering confectionery. We, at Zain Nigeria , have created this offer in a bid to spread joy, happiness and goodwill during this special season,” said Hanafi.
To participate in the promo, Zain customers are expected to send an Short Messaging Service (SMS) containing a three letter key word, ‘YES’ to the short code, ‘797’, SMS is free. Upon sending this SMS, customers will be automatically registered to participate in the Zain Talk for Love promo. New customers are required to buy a new Zain SIM card.
This keyword YES to 797 also automatically registers customers for the Zain Rewardz Loyalty Scheme programme.
Speaking on the benefits of the Talk for Love offer, Hanafi said that the promo will produce 200 daily winners of N5, 000 airtime, 100 weekly winners of a Zain valentine’s pack and dinner for two at a fabulous restaurant in the winner’s location and 10 final winners of an all expense paid trip to Dubai with $3,000.00 travelling allowance each.
He also added that for a Zain customer to be eligible for the promo, he/she will have to use a minimum of N100 daily; N800.00 weekly and N5, 000.00 through the promo on calls/text/data to stand a chance of winning a wonderful valentine experience.
The Zain Talk for Love promo ends on March 15, 2010.
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Harris Stratex now Aviat Networks
To mark the third anniversary of the merger with the microwave communications division of Harris Corporation and Stratex Networks Incorporated, Harris Stratex Networks Inc. has announced a change in its name to Aviat Networks Incorporated.
Aviat Networks has offices across Africa, including Nigeria.
According to a statement on a Lagos-based PMM Newswire, the company’s ticker symbol will also change to AVNW and its common stock will continue to trade on NASDAQ.
The new brand represents a culmination of the company’s transformation over the last three years from that of a specialized microwave backhaul equipment supplier into a world-class provider of advanced internet protocol (IP) wireless network solutions, with a comprehensive portfolio of migration solutions and lifecycle services.
Aviat Networks, the statement said, is ideally positioned to help operators successfully evolve their existing networks toward an all-IP broadband future, expand into untapped rural and remote markets, and capitalize on the explosive growth of mobile data traffic around the globe.
President and CEO of Aviat Networks, Mr. Harald Braun, said the unveiling of Aviat Networks marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our company.
“The Aviat brand embodies our commitment to quality and innovative products, highly individualized services, operational excellence and industry leadership. In markets around the world, advancements in wireless network capacity have often been constrained because carriers are grappling with operational network limitations and cost-related challenges that historically haven’t been sufficiently addressed by telecom equipment vendors,” he said.
Mr. Braun further said that instead of ‘handshake’ assurances that do little to mitigate the perceived risk of IP migration, operators need practical and innovative solutions that help them bridge seamlessly from the legacy network of today to the network that will fuel their success in the future.
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Aviat Networks has offices across Africa, including Nigeria.
According to a statement on a Lagos-based PMM Newswire, the company’s ticker symbol will also change to AVNW and its common stock will continue to trade on NASDAQ.
The new brand represents a culmination of the company’s transformation over the last three years from that of a specialized microwave backhaul equipment supplier into a world-class provider of advanced internet protocol (IP) wireless network solutions, with a comprehensive portfolio of migration solutions and lifecycle services.
Aviat Networks, the statement said, is ideally positioned to help operators successfully evolve their existing networks toward an all-IP broadband future, expand into untapped rural and remote markets, and capitalize on the explosive growth of mobile data traffic around the globe.
President and CEO of Aviat Networks, Mr. Harald Braun, said the unveiling of Aviat Networks marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our company.
“The Aviat brand embodies our commitment to quality and innovative products, highly individualized services, operational excellence and industry leadership. In markets around the world, advancements in wireless network capacity have often been constrained because carriers are grappling with operational network limitations and cost-related challenges that historically haven’t been sufficiently addressed by telecom equipment vendors,” he said.
Mr. Braun further said that instead of ‘handshake’ assurances that do little to mitigate the perceived risk of IP migration, operators need practical and innovative solutions that help them bridge seamlessly from the legacy network of today to the network that will fuel their success in the future.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Starcomms introduces tracking service
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Starcomms Plc, has introduced tracking service for its subscribers in the country tagged ‘StarTrack.’
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Starcomms, Mr. Maher Qubain, said that the location based services are deployed in most part of the world by many telecommunications companies to assist their subscribers identify the whereabouts of their friends, family and members among others.
He said that product branded StarTrack, is a new service which allows subscribers (locators) on the Starcomms network to know the whereabouts of their friends, family, team and loved ones via Short Messaging Service (SMS) at every point in time.
“This service will however be enjoyed with the consent of the subscribers being located (locatees) to allow the locator, a registered Starcomms subscriber to track such a person,” he said.
Qubain explained that with the aid of StarTrack, subscribers would be able to keep up with their buddies wherever they are in school, at the club, the cinemas, in the mall or at their office and hook up with them.
In addition, he said, this service is very useful for families, especially when parents need to know the whereabouts of their wards that may not be far from home.
“The parents can easily know when they are in their school and ensure their safety and wellbeing without making phone calls or sending SMS to them directly,” he said.
To enjoy StarTrack, he said subscribers would be required to register for the unique service by sending an SMS including “REG & name to 33391, and then add buddies by adding them via SMS: ADD & name & Starcomms number and send it to 33392.”
And to locate loved ones, he said, subscribers could send an SMS ‘FIND & name or number to 33392.’
This service, he pointed out, uses the mobile network locations of the cell sites, therefore, the subscriber’s location would be indicated as the respective cell site location as in the vicinity of the cell site address with time & date of the Starcomms phone radiating last when the query was sent.
“Subscribers can also request for the complete list of those that can be tracked by sending SMS: LIST to 33392 while the list of those that can locate a subscriber can be requested for by SMS ‘WHO to 33393,’” he said.
Mr. Qubain expressed resolve by the telco to use the services to continually affect the lives of its subscribers by ensuring that significant value added services are offered them.
“StarTrack represents this resolve of ours,” he asserted.
The Chief Commercial Officer, Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari also said they are aware that subscribers cannot be everywhere all the time.
“But the need to be in close touch without necessarily interfering in each other’s activities makes StarTrack the service of choice. Lovers can catch up with each other without calling; parents can track children without any exchange of voice or SMS,” he said, stressing that the service is apt for folks who always are on the move and at the same time who love to safeguard their feelings.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Starcomms, Mr. Maher Qubain, said that the location based services are deployed in most part of the world by many telecommunications companies to assist their subscribers identify the whereabouts of their friends, family and members among others.
He said that product branded StarTrack, is a new service which allows subscribers (locators) on the Starcomms network to know the whereabouts of their friends, family, team and loved ones via Short Messaging Service (SMS) at every point in time.
“This service will however be enjoyed with the consent of the subscribers being located (locatees) to allow the locator, a registered Starcomms subscriber to track such a person,” he said.
Qubain explained that with the aid of StarTrack, subscribers would be able to keep up with their buddies wherever they are in school, at the club, the cinemas, in the mall or at their office and hook up with them.
In addition, he said, this service is very useful for families, especially when parents need to know the whereabouts of their wards that may not be far from home.
“The parents can easily know when they are in their school and ensure their safety and wellbeing without making phone calls or sending SMS to them directly,” he said.
To enjoy StarTrack, he said subscribers would be required to register for the unique service by sending an SMS including “REG & name to 33391, and then add buddies by adding them via SMS: ADD & name & Starcomms number and send it to 33392.”
And to locate loved ones, he said, subscribers could send an SMS ‘FIND & name or number to 33392.’
This service, he pointed out, uses the mobile network locations of the cell sites, therefore, the subscriber’s location would be indicated as the respective cell site location as in the vicinity of the cell site address with time & date of the Starcomms phone radiating last when the query was sent.
“Subscribers can also request for the complete list of those that can be tracked by sending SMS: LIST to 33392 while the list of those that can locate a subscriber can be requested for by SMS ‘WHO to 33393,’” he said.
Mr. Qubain expressed resolve by the telco to use the services to continually affect the lives of its subscribers by ensuring that significant value added services are offered them.
“StarTrack represents this resolve of ours,” he asserted.
The Chief Commercial Officer, Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari also said they are aware that subscribers cannot be everywhere all the time.
“But the need to be in close touch without necessarily interfering in each other’s activities makes StarTrack the service of choice. Lovers can catch up with each other without calling; parents can track children without any exchange of voice or SMS,” he said, stressing that the service is apt for folks who always are on the move and at the same time who love to safeguard their feelings.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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