National President, Consumer Rights Advocacy Networks (CRANET), Dr. Martins Iwuanyanwu, has called on investors in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to take advantage of the growing market by investing in the sector, reports CHARLES OKOH.
He said there are still a lot of underserved areas waiting to be tapped.
Iwuanyanwu who is also the founder, Emerging Leaders Network (El-net) Club, while speaking in Lagos recently, said the nation would be a force to be reckoned with in the nearest future in ICT.
He said the Nigerian market is quite huge, not just in the ICT but also in other sectors, adding that the population of the nation can attract investment from any part of the world.
“People were suggesting that with three major GSM operators there might not be need for new entrants, but Etisalat came in and subscribers now have enough choice to choose from; which is the main reason that the NCC is talking about number portability. It is an evolving market and several elements are at play. In a matter of time you will discover that we still have a very huge underserved market. So, I encourage investors to come in because there are a lot of opportunities open to them,” he said.
He also called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to continue to pursue reduction in tariff, maintaining that Nigerians should begin to enjoy the benefits of increased bandwidth in 2011.
“The emergence of MainOne and Glo 1 would not amount to anything if there is no reduction in the cost particularly in Internet access and also improved quality of service. The average Nigerian wants to have internet facility in his home. We expect that in 2011, the cost of internet access should not be more than N1,000 per month,” he said
He also challenged the Dr. Eugene Juwah-led NCC to strengthen the working relationship between advocacy groups and the NCC, adding that some of its members are already complaining.
“I think the way out is to find a way of building the house collectively and not pulling it down,” he said.
Iwuanyanwu called on operators to be fair to their subscribers by not only reducing tariff but also ensuring quality of service at all times.
“It is only for the operators to understand that they do not have to eat their tomorrow today. Some of them appear to want to recoup their investment in a hurry, it should not be so. Nigeria is not going to collapse so I do not see the need for the hurry,” he said.
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Wednesday, January 05, 2011
NigComSAT 1R: China reassures on completion date
Remmy Nweke:
Rising from the sixth Quarterly Management Review (QMR) meeting in Abuja at the weekend, officials of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) have said the Nigeria Satellite 1 replacement (NigComSat-1R) will be delivered on schedule.
Disclosing this to ITRealms Online Managing Director of NigComSAT, Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, said that with the major performance requirement tests already accomplished, activities leading to the launch of NigComSat 1R, are now in high gear.
ITRealms Online recalls that NigComSAT and top officials of Federal Ministry of Finance and China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Beijing, met recently in China.
He disclosed that the project has entered an advance stage of Assembly and Integration Test (AIT) of the platform and payload components, an indication that the project is very much on course for the delivery at the last quarter of 2011.
The spacecraft, he said, would be operated on geo-stationary orbit of 42.5 degrees; and will provide 14 Ku-band active channels, 4 C-band active channels, 8 Ka-band and 2 navigational channels.
Ahmed-Rufai assured that with the launch of NigComSat-1R, Nigerians will be able to enjoy affordable broadband and multimedia services.
He also pointed out that despite the arrival of fibre on the shores of Nigeria; satellite is still needed to transmit from landing point in Lagos to other parts of the country.
Additionally, he said, NIGCOMSAT is already preparing a Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform which will be ready before the launch of NigComSat-1R, thus paving way for local DTH companies to leverage on.
He also said that rising from the sixth Quarterly Management Review (QMR) meeting in Abuja recently, officials of both firms pledged to deliver the project on schedule.
The NIGCOMSAT’s Project Manager, Mr. Abdulraheem Adajah, led the Nigerian team to the meeting while the China Great Wall team was led by Chief Engineer, Mr. Hu Gang.
Worthy of note is that Venezuela recently celebrated the second anniversary of VENESAT-1, a Dong Fang Hong (DFH-4) platform, for digital telecommunications and broadcasting. The performance of the satellite is said to have been very good. It was built and launched by China Great Wall.
Apart from aforementioned, Venezuela, no fewer than four communications satellites are due for launch in the next few months ahead of NigComSat-1R.
China Great Wall recently signed a contract with Bolivia to deliver a communications satellite on the DFH-4 platform too. This is an indication that Nigeria has nothing to worry about.
He quoted the China Great Wall officials as explaining in Abuja during the QMR that extra precautionary measures and quality control measures are being taken to ensure that nothing is left to chance in order to deliver a robust and high performance satellite.
One of the features of NigComSat-1R is the newly introduced Asian beam meant for content trunking and service delivery to Asia, Europe and Africa.
The spacecraft will be operated on geo-stationary orbit of 42.5*E; and will provide 14 Ku-band active channels, 4 C-band active channels, 8 Ka-band and 2 navigational channels.
Ahmed-Rufai assured that with the launch of NigComSat-1R, Nigerians will be able to enjoy affordable broadband and multimedia services.
He also pointed out that despite the arrival of fibre on the shores of Nigeria; satellite is still needed to transmit from landing point in Lagos to other parts of the country.
Indeed, he said NIGCOMSAT is already preparing a Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform which will be ready before the launch of NigComSat-1R, thus paving way for local DTH companies to emerge.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Rising from the sixth Quarterly Management Review (QMR) meeting in Abuja at the weekend, officials of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) have said the Nigeria Satellite 1 replacement (NigComSat-1R) will be delivered on schedule.
Disclosing this to ITRealms Online Managing Director of NigComSAT, Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, said that with the major performance requirement tests already accomplished, activities leading to the launch of NigComSat 1R, are now in high gear.
ITRealms Online recalls that NigComSAT and top officials of Federal Ministry of Finance and China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Beijing, met recently in China.
He disclosed that the project has entered an advance stage of Assembly and Integration Test (AIT) of the platform and payload components, an indication that the project is very much on course for the delivery at the last quarter of 2011.
The spacecraft, he said, would be operated on geo-stationary orbit of 42.5 degrees; and will provide 14 Ku-band active channels, 4 C-band active channels, 8 Ka-band and 2 navigational channels.
Ahmed-Rufai assured that with the launch of NigComSat-1R, Nigerians will be able to enjoy affordable broadband and multimedia services.
He also pointed out that despite the arrival of fibre on the shores of Nigeria; satellite is still needed to transmit from landing point in Lagos to other parts of the country.
Additionally, he said, NIGCOMSAT is already preparing a Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform which will be ready before the launch of NigComSat-1R, thus paving way for local DTH companies to leverage on.
He also said that rising from the sixth Quarterly Management Review (QMR) meeting in Abuja recently, officials of both firms pledged to deliver the project on schedule.
The NIGCOMSAT’s Project Manager, Mr. Abdulraheem Adajah, led the Nigerian team to the meeting while the China Great Wall team was led by Chief Engineer, Mr. Hu Gang.
Worthy of note is that Venezuela recently celebrated the second anniversary of VENESAT-1, a Dong Fang Hong (DFH-4) platform, for digital telecommunications and broadcasting. The performance of the satellite is said to have been very good. It was built and launched by China Great Wall.
Apart from aforementioned, Venezuela, no fewer than four communications satellites are due for launch in the next few months ahead of NigComSat-1R.
China Great Wall recently signed a contract with Bolivia to deliver a communications satellite on the DFH-4 platform too. This is an indication that Nigeria has nothing to worry about.
He quoted the China Great Wall officials as explaining in Abuja during the QMR that extra precautionary measures and quality control measures are being taken to ensure that nothing is left to chance in order to deliver a robust and high performance satellite.
One of the features of NigComSat-1R is the newly introduced Asian beam meant for content trunking and service delivery to Asia, Europe and Africa.
The spacecraft will be operated on geo-stationary orbit of 42.5*E; and will provide 14 Ku-band active channels, 4 C-band active channels, 8 Ka-band and 2 navigational channels.
Ahmed-Rufai assured that with the launch of NigComSat-1R, Nigerians will be able to enjoy affordable broadband and multimedia services.
He also pointed out that despite the arrival of fibre on the shores of Nigeria; satellite is still needed to transmit from landing point in Lagos to other parts of the country.
Indeed, he said NIGCOMSAT is already preparing a Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform which will be ready before the launch of NigComSat-1R, thus paving way for local DTH companies to emerge.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
NIRA hands over thisday.ng to Leaders & Company
Remmy Nweke:
The management of Leaders & Company Limited, the publishers of ThisDay Newspapers Group has taken the possession of thisday.ng.
Confirming this on Monday, President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mrs. Mary Uduma said it’s a good development for the Nigerian internet community and development of the industry in the country.
She also said that the move by ThisDay to take up its corporate identity as its own Second Level Domain (SLD) name in the .ng Registry is a milestone in the Nigerian internet space.
Commending the ThisDay management for the step, she enjoined other corporate Nigerian to tow the path of being identified by the truly Nigerian brand on the World Wide Web with pride.
According to her, the usage of .ng by credible Nigerians and corporate citizens will facilitate the needful change in the current battered image of the country on the internet.
She pointed out that Leaders & Company has met the NIRA Executive Board’s requirement for the acquisition of Second Level Domain - thisday.ng, describing the pace-setting move as worthy of emulation.
Chairman and chief executive officer, Leaders & Company Limited, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, in the letter of expression for the registration of thisday.ng domain, had said that his firm was excited to have its Nigerian brand of internet address.
This acquisition, he said, would entail the migration of it’s hitherto website, www.thisdayonline.com to www.thisday.ng, which has since gone live on Monday, January 3, 2011.
“We believe it will promote international and national interest in the Nigerian national domain registration making it fashionable and highly desirable for Nigerian entities and corporates operating in Nigeria to change to the .ng domain” he said.
Additionally, he said, ThisDay is committed to partnering with NIRA to promote the .ng country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name through collaboration.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4DNIRA releases guideline for 50,000 free .ng domains
Remmy Nweke:
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has released guidelines for its 50,000 free .ng domains promotion, just as plans have been made for the formal launch of the project before the end of this January.
The promo which is in line with the Nigeria’s 50 years independence anniversary is to propel the adoption of the nation’s country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) by interested Nigerians for free.
This was disclosed by NIRA president, Mrs. Mary Uduma at the weekend, saying that the promo is expected to last for 50 days.
The promo which commenced last weekend, Friday, December 31, 2010 and would last till March 21, 2011.
She noted that as managers of the Nigerian name space on the internet, the Association feels a great call to duty to identify with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the nationhood.
“This sense of identification is tied to our perceptiveness of the collective responsibility required to project the true and appropriate Nigerian image; and our conviction that the nation’s country code Top Level Domain, .ng, is a veritable tool towards achieving this,” she said.
Uduma also said that NIRA is partnering with the Ministry of Information and Communications in the Re-branding Nigeria Project with the offer of 50,000 free .ng domains in 50 days, which is subject to availability.
The project to be championed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), she said, would provide the necessary funding for the project implementation.
In addition, she said, NITDA has committed to training a substantial number of Nigerian youths as web developers in readiness for an envisaged increased demand for the services of web developers with the registration of 50,000 .ng domains in the first quarter of 2011.
This, she said, is more evident with the target population of the .ng registry with 250,000 domains by the end of 2011, thereby preparing them for gainful employment, even as it will sponsor the capacity building effort of NIRA in the setting up of a datacenter and co-location facility to support the activation of the 250,000 domains.
“NITDA is committed to promoting the adoption of government policy to recognize only .ng e-mails for Government-to-Government, Government-to-Business, and Government-to-Citizens transactions,” she stated in the project guideline published at NIRA website, stressing that the registration of free domains had commenced on Friday, December 31, 2010 and is expected to last till March 21, 2011.
The offer, she said, entails that registrars would register domains at no cost to registrants for a period of one year, while the free domains are limited to some of the second level domains, namely .com.ng; .org.ng; .name.ng; .mobi.ng, and .sch.ng with a proviso a process of verification must be adhered to.
ITRealms Online recalls that NIRA was founded on March 23, 2005 as a stakeholder-led organisation, charged with the management of the nation’s Country Top Level Domain Name (ccTLD), dot ng.
NIRA’s establishment was the end of a long period of inactivity and dispute on the appropriate management of this important National Resource. Coordinated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Stakeholders within Nigeria’s Internet community participated in its formation.
NIRA’s formation brought to an end the long years of .ng controversy in the country, following the intervention of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The realisation of the .ng ccTLD came after nearly 12 years in which the country code was hosted in the United States (USA) by an American named Randy Bush. While Bush was the host of the domain name, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote served as the administrative point of contact.
Although the .ng was being managed by NITDA on behalf of the Federal Government, even as NIRA’s constitution was adopted by stakeholders, at a meeting held on March 28, 2006 at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos.
NIRA’s Board of Trustees (BoT) was elected among the stakeholders with Dr. Isaac A. Odeyemi as chairman shortly after the adoption of the constitution. By May 1, 2007, the first executive board of NIRA was elected with late Ndukwe Kalu leading a 10-man board.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has released guidelines for its 50,000 free .ng domains promotion, just as plans have been made for the formal launch of the project before the end of this January.
The promo which is in line with the Nigeria’s 50 years independence anniversary is to propel the adoption of the nation’s country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) by interested Nigerians for free.
This was disclosed by NIRA president, Mrs. Mary Uduma at the weekend, saying that the promo is expected to last for 50 days.
The promo which commenced last weekend, Friday, December 31, 2010 and would last till March 21, 2011.
She noted that as managers of the Nigerian name space on the internet, the Association feels a great call to duty to identify with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the nationhood.
“This sense of identification is tied to our perceptiveness of the collective responsibility required to project the true and appropriate Nigerian image; and our conviction that the nation’s country code Top Level Domain, .ng, is a veritable tool towards achieving this,” she said.
Uduma also said that NIRA is partnering with the Ministry of Information and Communications in the Re-branding Nigeria Project with the offer of 50,000 free .ng domains in 50 days, which is subject to availability.
The project to be championed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), she said, would provide the necessary funding for the project implementation.
In addition, she said, NITDA has committed to training a substantial number of Nigerian youths as web developers in readiness for an envisaged increased demand for the services of web developers with the registration of 50,000 .ng domains in the first quarter of 2011.
This, she said, is more evident with the target population of the .ng registry with 250,000 domains by the end of 2011, thereby preparing them for gainful employment, even as it will sponsor the capacity building effort of NIRA in the setting up of a datacenter and co-location facility to support the activation of the 250,000 domains.
“NITDA is committed to promoting the adoption of government policy to recognize only .ng e-mails for Government-to-Government, Government-to-Business, and Government-to-Citizens transactions,” she stated in the project guideline published at NIRA website, stressing that the registration of free domains had commenced on Friday, December 31, 2010 and is expected to last till March 21, 2011.
The offer, she said, entails that registrars would register domains at no cost to registrants for a period of one year, while the free domains are limited to some of the second level domains, namely .com.ng; .org.ng; .name.ng; .mobi.ng, and .sch.ng with a proviso a process of verification must be adhered to.
ITRealms Online recalls that NIRA was founded on March 23, 2005 as a stakeholder-led organisation, charged with the management of the nation’s Country Top Level Domain Name (ccTLD), dot ng.
NIRA’s establishment was the end of a long period of inactivity and dispute on the appropriate management of this important National Resource. Coordinated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Stakeholders within Nigeria’s Internet community participated in its formation.
NIRA’s formation brought to an end the long years of .ng controversy in the country, following the intervention of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The realisation of the .ng ccTLD came after nearly 12 years in which the country code was hosted in the United States (USA) by an American named Randy Bush. While Bush was the host of the domain name, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote served as the administrative point of contact.
Although the .ng was being managed by NITDA on behalf of the Federal Government, even as NIRA’s constitution was adopted by stakeholders, at a meeting held on March 28, 2006 at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos.
NIRA’s Board of Trustees (BoT) was elected among the stakeholders with Dr. Isaac A. Odeyemi as chairman shortly after the adoption of the constitution. By May 1, 2007, the first executive board of NIRA was elected with late Ndukwe Kalu leading a 10-man board.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Airtel promises enhanced customer service
As part of the New Year package, Airtel African operation has promised customers in the region of enhanced services this year, reports REMMY NWEKE.
The chief executive officer for International and Joint Managing Director, Mr. Manoj Kohli, made this assertion in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend, saying that as the world’s fifth largest telecom company, Airtel has its sights set on improving the African telecom infrastructure in 2011.
He said that Airtel remains committed to offering affordable services, deepening its network coverage to include the rural population and enhancing the digital experience through Third Generation (3G) across the continent with the anticipated offering of a better brand experience for all its customers on the continent.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers and stakeholders an illustrious start to the New Year,” he declared, and appreciated the governments for their overwhelming support wherever Airtel has operations.
“We want to be a partner in Africa’s growth and will work closely with the Governments and Regulators to enable the telecom networks touch all parts of society,” he said.
ITRealms Online recalls that in a move to accelerate the transformation of African mobile communications and positively impact the speed of economic development across the African continent, Bharti Airtel Limited and IBM recently announced the selection of IBM to manage the computing technology and services that would bring enhancement Bharti Airtel’s mobile network.
In addition, the deal would see to the deployment and managing Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and applications, just as IBM would use advanced technologies created by its research team, including the Spoken Web - a voice-enabled Internet that allows users to access and share information simply by talking over the existing telephone network, which is particularly compelling for populations with little or no literacy, visual impairments, or lack access to computers.
In addition, IBM plans to deploy a powerful content management system to offer rich media content such as music and video over mobile devices, while simultaneously facilitating the growth of the application developer community in Africa.
Strategic partnerships with Ericsson, Huawei and NSN will exponentially improve the quality of the network across the African landscape and expand the footprint of the 2G and 3G services. In line with global trends, Africa is experiencing a surge in demand for access to mobile data applications. The modernization and optimization of the networks will give Airtel an opportunity to offer exciting services in 2011.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
The chief executive officer for International and Joint Managing Director, Mr. Manoj Kohli, made this assertion in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend, saying that as the world’s fifth largest telecom company, Airtel has its sights set on improving the African telecom infrastructure in 2011.
He said that Airtel remains committed to offering affordable services, deepening its network coverage to include the rural population and enhancing the digital experience through Third Generation (3G) across the continent with the anticipated offering of a better brand experience for all its customers on the continent.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers and stakeholders an illustrious start to the New Year,” he declared, and appreciated the governments for their overwhelming support wherever Airtel has operations.
“We want to be a partner in Africa’s growth and will work closely with the Governments and Regulators to enable the telecom networks touch all parts of society,” he said.
ITRealms Online recalls that in a move to accelerate the transformation of African mobile communications and positively impact the speed of economic development across the African continent, Bharti Airtel Limited and IBM recently announced the selection of IBM to manage the computing technology and services that would bring enhancement Bharti Airtel’s mobile network.
In addition, the deal would see to the deployment and managing Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and applications, just as IBM would use advanced technologies created by its research team, including the Spoken Web - a voice-enabled Internet that allows users to access and share information simply by talking over the existing telephone network, which is particularly compelling for populations with little or no literacy, visual impairments, or lack access to computers.
In addition, IBM plans to deploy a powerful content management system to offer rich media content such as music and video over mobile devices, while simultaneously facilitating the growth of the application developer community in Africa.
Strategic partnerships with Ericsson, Huawei and NSN will exponentially improve the quality of the network across the African landscape and expand the footprint of the 2G and 3G services. In line with global trends, Africa is experiencing a surge in demand for access to mobile data applications. The modernization and optimization of the networks will give Airtel an opportunity to offer exciting services in 2011.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Beacon of ICT awards gets March date
The organisers of Beacon of ICT awards, has disclosed that the event would in March this year, reports REMMY NWEKE.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the organisers, Communication Week Media Limited, said that the merit-centric celebrations of deserving talents, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry in Nigeria would hold Saturday, March 26, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Lagos,
According to the Editor-in-chief of Communication Week, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, this year promises to be a celebration of Nigeria’s finest and brightest companies and individuals.
He noted that the medium which publishes Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, is an influential weekly covering the know-how of ICT and other business.
Also he said that preparations have reached advanced stages to host the cream of the society at the special evening of tributes to achievers.
Nwogbo said that top industry regulators and players have confirmed attendance of the award ceremony.
He explained that Beacon of ICT awards now in its second year are free and have been designed primarily to recognize government and business organizations as well as individuals for their creativity and excellence in the application of ICTs and solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.
“As always been the system with Beacon of ICT Awards, awardees will be chosen by Nigerians who recognize and appreciate the guiding lights of the organizations and individuals as well as the symbols of hope they raise,” he said.
He maintained that the awards aim among others to evaluate and recognize standards of excellence in the country’s quest for growth and development in the use of ICT and encourage public and private and institutions to use ICT for development in general and improved public cum citizens’ services in particular.
Even as he said, the awards motivate other stakeholders in effective utilization of ICT for citizen’s services and ensure that ICT professionals are provided a benchmark for recognizing and validating outstanding contribution
“All these are because ICTs have become indispensable tools in improving the efficiency and quality of public service and also emerging as the key to growth and competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the organisers, Communication Week Media Limited, said that the merit-centric celebrations of deserving talents, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry in Nigeria would hold Saturday, March 26, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Lagos,
According to the Editor-in-chief of Communication Week, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, this year promises to be a celebration of Nigeria’s finest and brightest companies and individuals.
He noted that the medium which publishes Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, is an influential weekly covering the know-how of ICT and other business.
Also he said that preparations have reached advanced stages to host the cream of the society at the special evening of tributes to achievers.
Nwogbo said that top industry regulators and players have confirmed attendance of the award ceremony.
He explained that Beacon of ICT awards now in its second year are free and have been designed primarily to recognize government and business organizations as well as individuals for their creativity and excellence in the application of ICTs and solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Nigerians.
“As always been the system with Beacon of ICT Awards, awardees will be chosen by Nigerians who recognize and appreciate the guiding lights of the organizations and individuals as well as the symbols of hope they raise,” he said.
He maintained that the awards aim among others to evaluate and recognize standards of excellence in the country’s quest for growth and development in the use of ICT and encourage public and private and institutions to use ICT for development in general and improved public cum citizens’ services in particular.
Even as he said, the awards motivate other stakeholders in effective utilization of ICT for citizen’s services and ensure that ICT professionals are provided a benchmark for recognizing and validating outstanding contribution
“All these are because ICTs have become indispensable tools in improving the efficiency and quality of public service and also emerging as the key to growth and competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
UNESCO supports study on potentials Web 2.0
The Colombian organization, Consejo de Redacción, in collaboration with UNESCO’s Office in Quito and within the framework of the IPDC project, Strengthening Investigative Journalism through ICT, is conducting research on how social networks could be used for the dissemination of information, reports REMMY NWEKE.
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online showed that the study, entitled Communication Lab on Social Networks, began in September 2010.
UNESCO also notes that by illustrating the most effective communication strategies using social networks, the study is aimed to elucidating how they could be exploited to provide alternative sources of information, and allow communities and journalists to propose their own news agendas.
“It is now commonly accepted that social networks are an essential tool to reach wide audiences. Political campaigns, lobbyists or traditional media have realized that social networks provide an opportunity to increase their outreach,” part of the statement read.
In addition, UNESCO said the study would showcase the features of Web 2.0 social networks, which allows direct interaction with members, making it possible to design communication strategies based on member profiles and permitting any individual or community to disseminate information, to have more social impact and to influence the news agenda.
Although it is a fact that social networks are excellent information platforms, it is less clear how they must be used to maximize their potential in the field of journalism. Based on this, Consejo de Redacción is developing the Communication Lab on Social Networks.
This research, they said, attempt to answer the following questions: What are the communication strategies that generate audience through the use of social networks? What kind of stories are most widely shared and discussed? What is the news agenda of Internet in comparison with traditional media? What use should be made of new platforms? and What language should be used?
Equally, the study has intentionally avoided any publicity with partner organizations so that its findings could be extrapolated to any journalist or entity with a limited networking and information capacity.
Further, they said, the study started with the setting of a journalistic blog and its dissemination through different social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Youtube, Tumblr and Podbean.
The blog has already attracted a significant number of members with over 1,153 page views and 328 fans.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
A press statement made available to ITRealms Online showed that the study, entitled Communication Lab on Social Networks, began in September 2010.
UNESCO also notes that by illustrating the most effective communication strategies using social networks, the study is aimed to elucidating how they could be exploited to provide alternative sources of information, and allow communities and journalists to propose their own news agendas.
“It is now commonly accepted that social networks are an essential tool to reach wide audiences. Political campaigns, lobbyists or traditional media have realized that social networks provide an opportunity to increase their outreach,” part of the statement read.
In addition, UNESCO said the study would showcase the features of Web 2.0 social networks, which allows direct interaction with members, making it possible to design communication strategies based on member profiles and permitting any individual or community to disseminate information, to have more social impact and to influence the news agenda.
Although it is a fact that social networks are excellent information platforms, it is less clear how they must be used to maximize their potential in the field of journalism. Based on this, Consejo de Redacción is developing the Communication Lab on Social Networks.
This research, they said, attempt to answer the following questions: What are the communication strategies that generate audience through the use of social networks? What kind of stories are most widely shared and discussed? What is the news agenda of Internet in comparison with traditional media? What use should be made of new platforms? and What language should be used?
Equally, the study has intentionally avoided any publicity with partner organizations so that its findings could be extrapolated to any journalist or entity with a limited networking and information capacity.
Further, they said, the study started with the setting of a journalistic blog and its dissemination through different social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Youtube, Tumblr and Podbean.
The blog has already attracted a significant number of members with over 1,153 page views and 328 fans.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Monday, January 03, 2011
MTN lifts Oganihu carnival in Ogwashi-Ukwu
Remmy Nweke:
MTN Nigeria has lifted the Oganihu carnival in Ogwashi Ukwu, Delta State with the sponsorship of the event.
The South East Regional Marketing Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Dan Nwankwo, said that the indigenes of Ogwashi Ukwu in Delta State were excited to have MTN give boost to the first annual Ogwashi Ukwu Cultural Carnival, otherwise tagged “Oganihu Carnival,” which held on Christmas day.
He explained in a press statement available to Champion Infotech that the carnival is a celebration of cultural values and heritage of Ogwashi Ukwu Community, an initiative of a group known Ogwashi-Ukwu sons and daughters.
He also said that the event witnessed the convergence of indigenes of the community, both home and abroad, as well as guests and dignitaries who travelled from all over the country to rejoice over what was described as a new beginning for the community.
He pointed out that MTN Nigeria has become synonymous for supporting various cultural festivals across the country added glamour and excitement to the festival.
Nwankwo further said that MTN Nigeria is passionate about its customers’ aspiration which is why it supports cultural celebrations across the country, as a way of encouraging friendship and communal bonding.
Equally speaking, the Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, His Majesty, Professor Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo expressed gratitude to the telecommunications company which he said has been a strong pillar of support for the community, without which their might not have been a successful carnival.
“We thank MTN Nigeria for their unflinching support and faith in our community. We appreciate their effort and association especially in the area of promoting our cultural values and sharing with us in the spirit of Christmas,” the Obi said.
The festival witnessed a large gathering of youths who converged at the carnival ground, dressed in flamboyant costumes and paraphernalia. They danced elegantly as they joined the carnival train, which moved round the town all the way to the carnival ground.
There were also various cultural dance groups, who took turn to perform unique dance steps and acrobatic displays round the ground after paying homage to the Obi. Prominent among these groups are the Egwu Amala Dancing group, Egwu-Olobo group, with flamboyant masquerades on display, the Okanga group, Egwu-Aja dancing group and the Egwu-Agbala group.
The event was rounded off with a wonderful stunt by the Ebu-Wonder group. At the height of its magical performance, the group conjured a colossal masquerade of about 35ft tall, out of a small wooden box.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
MTN Nigeria has lifted the Oganihu carnival in Ogwashi Ukwu, Delta State with the sponsorship of the event.
The South East Regional Marketing Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Dan Nwankwo, said that the indigenes of Ogwashi Ukwu in Delta State were excited to have MTN give boost to the first annual Ogwashi Ukwu Cultural Carnival, otherwise tagged “Oganihu Carnival,” which held on Christmas day.
He explained in a press statement available to Champion Infotech that the carnival is a celebration of cultural values and heritage of Ogwashi Ukwu Community, an initiative of a group known Ogwashi-Ukwu sons and daughters.
He also said that the event witnessed the convergence of indigenes of the community, both home and abroad, as well as guests and dignitaries who travelled from all over the country to rejoice over what was described as a new beginning for the community.
He pointed out that MTN Nigeria has become synonymous for supporting various cultural festivals across the country added glamour and excitement to the festival.
Nwankwo further said that MTN Nigeria is passionate about its customers’ aspiration which is why it supports cultural celebrations across the country, as a way of encouraging friendship and communal bonding.
Equally speaking, the Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, His Majesty, Professor Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo expressed gratitude to the telecommunications company which he said has been a strong pillar of support for the community, without which their might not have been a successful carnival.
“We thank MTN Nigeria for their unflinching support and faith in our community. We appreciate their effort and association especially in the area of promoting our cultural values and sharing with us in the spirit of Christmas,” the Obi said.
The festival witnessed a large gathering of youths who converged at the carnival ground, dressed in flamboyant costumes and paraphernalia. They danced elegantly as they joined the carnival train, which moved round the town all the way to the carnival ground.
There were also various cultural dance groups, who took turn to perform unique dance steps and acrobatic displays round the ground after paying homage to the Obi. Prominent among these groups are the Egwu Amala Dancing group, Egwu-Olobo group, with flamboyant masquerades on display, the Okanga group, Egwu-Aja dancing group and the Egwu-Agbala group.
The event was rounded off with a wonderful stunt by the Ebu-Wonder group. At the height of its magical performance, the group conjured a colossal masquerade of about 35ft tall, out of a small wooden box.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
14 more winners get prizes @ Glo Text4million
Remmy Nweke
A total of 14 new lucky winners made up of traders, businessmen, students and pensioners emerged and have already taken possession of their prizes in the ongoing Season 2 of the Glo ‘text4millions” promo.
Each of the 14 winners went home with their N1m cheque at the Glo’s ‘Lord of the Ribs show’ in Ibadan.
The winners who received their prizes included Chukwudu Uche, a trader who sells CD’s in Owerri, Imo State, Rev. Ukandu Ucheya, pastor of the Assemblies of God Church in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ihuoma, a trader in plumbing materials at Bridgehead, Onitsha, Mrs. Genevieve Elam, a civil servant in Umuahia, Abia State; Godwin Nwachukwu, a builder who lives in Abuja, Tochukwu Akabueze, a trader on clothing materials in Yaba, Lagos and Chimezie Obi a businessman who deals on plumbing and electrical materials in Lagos.
Others are Miss Victoria Olorunnisola a student from Minna, Niger State who is seeking admission into Kogi State University; Abubakar Lawan, a teacher and Islamic scholar from Kano, Onuorah Christopher a student from Nassarrawa who hopes to gain admission soon into the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; John Gimsay, a civil servant working with the Plateau State House of Assembly in Jos, Godwin Edewor, a businessman from Warri, Delta State, Mrs. Deborah Oniwinde, a pensioner from Ido-Ani, Ondo State and Mr. Stephen Oke, a pensioner and former school principal in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
Speaking at the occasion, some of the lucky winners expressed thanks to Glo for providing outstanding service to Nigerian telecom subscribers over the years and for changing their lives and those of their family members during the Xmas season.
They also had words of commendation for Glo for the honest and transparent manner in which it conducts its promos.
For Mr. Chimezie Obi, a dealer on plumbing and electrical materials, winning in the promo was totally unexpected.
“I am very, very happy. This is an unexpected gift from Glo. I will encourage those in my community and my Christian fellowship to use Glo. I want to be a Glo ambassador,” he said.
The three lucky students among the winners also praised Glo for changing their lives and for making them confident that they now have a chance at a good university education.
One of them, Miss Victoria Olorunsola stated, “I am seeking admission into Kogi State University. My sister encouraged me to play. I never thought I could win this kind of money in my life. I am extremely happy.”
Equally, for Rev. Ukandu Ucheya, the interactive and educative nature of the promo was the major factor that propelled him to play. “This is my first time of playing. I was attracted because of my interest in current affairs. My family shouted for joy! I will use the money to complete my building project which has been going on for about nine years”.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
A total of 14 new lucky winners made up of traders, businessmen, students and pensioners emerged and have already taken possession of their prizes in the ongoing Season 2 of the Glo ‘text4millions” promo.
Each of the 14 winners went home with their N1m cheque at the Glo’s ‘Lord of the Ribs show’ in Ibadan.
The winners who received their prizes included Chukwudu Uche, a trader who sells CD’s in Owerri, Imo State, Rev. Ukandu Ucheya, pastor of the Assemblies of God Church in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ihuoma, a trader in plumbing materials at Bridgehead, Onitsha, Mrs. Genevieve Elam, a civil servant in Umuahia, Abia State; Godwin Nwachukwu, a builder who lives in Abuja, Tochukwu Akabueze, a trader on clothing materials in Yaba, Lagos and Chimezie Obi a businessman who deals on plumbing and electrical materials in Lagos.
Others are Miss Victoria Olorunnisola a student from Minna, Niger State who is seeking admission into Kogi State University; Abubakar Lawan, a teacher and Islamic scholar from Kano, Onuorah Christopher a student from Nassarrawa who hopes to gain admission soon into the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; John Gimsay, a civil servant working with the Plateau State House of Assembly in Jos, Godwin Edewor, a businessman from Warri, Delta State, Mrs. Deborah Oniwinde, a pensioner from Ido-Ani, Ondo State and Mr. Stephen Oke, a pensioner and former school principal in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
Speaking at the occasion, some of the lucky winners expressed thanks to Glo for providing outstanding service to Nigerian telecom subscribers over the years and for changing their lives and those of their family members during the Xmas season.
They also had words of commendation for Glo for the honest and transparent manner in which it conducts its promos.
For Mr. Chimezie Obi, a dealer on plumbing and electrical materials, winning in the promo was totally unexpected.
“I am very, very happy. This is an unexpected gift from Glo. I will encourage those in my community and my Christian fellowship to use Glo. I want to be a Glo ambassador,” he said.
The three lucky students among the winners also praised Glo for changing their lives and for making them confident that they now have a chance at a good university education.
One of them, Miss Victoria Olorunsola stated, “I am seeking admission into Kogi State University. My sister encouraged me to play. I never thought I could win this kind of money in my life. I am extremely happy.”
Equally, for Rev. Ukandu Ucheya, the interactive and educative nature of the promo was the major factor that propelled him to play. “This is my first time of playing. I was attracted because of my interest in current affairs. My family shouted for joy! I will use the money to complete my building project which has been going on for about nine years”.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Olubiyi decries slow pace of 3G deployment
The chief executive officer, Geoidtel, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) based in Lagos, Mr. Olubiyi Ismail, has decried the slow pace of deployment the Third Generation (3G) in Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market.
Ismail who made his views known in Lagos at the weekend said that almost five years down the line after the initial licensing of most of the mobile communications networks to offer Third Generation (3G) services, Nigeria is yet to make 3G function at its best.
This, he said, would translate into effective use of the services and accompanied advantages adequately for the end-users.
He noted that when in 2006 the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) auctioned four 3G spectrum licenses to Globacom, MTN, then Vmobile, which is now Airtel as well as Alheri Engineering, expectations were high that Nigeria’s telecom landscape would receive a great boost.
“About five years after, not much has changed in Nigeria’s telecom sector,” he said.
3G, he said, is regarded as the next generation of mobile communications systems which
enhances services such as multimedia, high speed mobile broadband, internet access with the ability to view video footage on one’s mobile handset.
With a 3G phone and access to the 3G network one could make video calls, watch live TV, access the high speed internet, receive emails and download music tracks, as well as the usual voice call and messaging services found on a mobile phone, like person to person video, live streaming, downloadable video of entertainment, news, current affairs and sport content and video messaging.
“So why is 3G, which indeed has the semblance of triple play capabilities, not being utilised by the telecom operators in Nigeria,” he said.
The answer, according to him, is that operators are yet to be assured of steady revenue stream for their investment in 3G services.
“Indeed, some have chosen to partner advanced communications providers such as Cisco to help develop services such as tele- presence,” he said, wondering what would be tagged as successful deployment of triple play services in Nigeria.
This, he said, would be solely dependent on two factors, namely the capability of the company involved in its deployment and the creation of a conducive atmosphere for companies intending to offer triple play to thrive.
“Beyond theatrics, the next big thing in the Nigerian ICT landscape may well be triple play at the right cost to the people,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
Ismail who made his views known in Lagos at the weekend said that almost five years down the line after the initial licensing of most of the mobile communications networks to offer Third Generation (3G) services, Nigeria is yet to make 3G function at its best.
This, he said, would translate into effective use of the services and accompanied advantages adequately for the end-users.
He noted that when in 2006 the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) auctioned four 3G spectrum licenses to Globacom, MTN, then Vmobile, which is now Airtel as well as Alheri Engineering, expectations were high that Nigeria’s telecom landscape would receive a great boost.
“About five years after, not much has changed in Nigeria’s telecom sector,” he said.
3G, he said, is regarded as the next generation of mobile communications systems which
enhances services such as multimedia, high speed mobile broadband, internet access with the ability to view video footage on one’s mobile handset.
With a 3G phone and access to the 3G network one could make video calls, watch live TV, access the high speed internet, receive emails and download music tracks, as well as the usual voice call and messaging services found on a mobile phone, like person to person video, live streaming, downloadable video of entertainment, news, current affairs and sport content and video messaging.
“So why is 3G, which indeed has the semblance of triple play capabilities, not being utilised by the telecom operators in Nigeria,” he said.
The answer, according to him, is that operators are yet to be assured of steady revenue stream for their investment in 3G services.
“Indeed, some have chosen to partner advanced communications providers such as Cisco to help develop services such as tele- presence,” he said, wondering what would be tagged as successful deployment of triple play services in Nigeria.
This, he said, would be solely dependent on two factors, namely the capability of the company involved in its deployment and the creation of a conducive atmosphere for companies intending to offer triple play to thrive.
“Beyond theatrics, the next big thing in the Nigerian ICT landscape may well be triple play at the right cost to the people,” he said.
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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