Adebayo stresses importance of IPv6 awareness

Gbenga Adebay, chairman, ALTOn

... Echoes from Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable'12

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to prepare for the future, especially as technological tools are becoming more intelligent on daily basis, hence the importance of creating awareness on Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and IPv6.

Adebayo in his remarks at the Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable 2012 to commemorate the World IPv6 Day which held in Lagos, organized by DigitalSENSE Africa and NITDA in partnership with Internet Society (ISOC) Nigeria chapter, saying that it may be difficult to connect to some particular networks, once IPv4 is eventually exhausted.

“As we develop in our day to day life, technology is changing, devices are more intelligent, today people are talking about handheld, it’s no longer desktop computer. There is a need for us to prepare ourselves for the future.

That is why the awareness about IPv4, IPv6 is very important,” he said. Adebayo used the opportunity to respond to some begging issues in the industry as it affects telecommunication sector.

“You may be aware that there are some discussions that some operators are fined. The problem is very simple, there is something peculiar with our country, and we are coming to an answer before the question,” he said.

ALTON boss also acknowledge some challenges facing the operators and noted that when the fine was imposed it raised a lot of questions. Who is the victim of all of these? It is all of us, the Nigerian subscribers who unfortunately happen to be the political football in this country.

He, however, assured you that the industry, is doing all that could be done to alleviate such a challenge. 

“A way forward as we have proposed is to redefine the key performance indicators to reflect the peculiarity of our operating environment,” he suggested.

Adebayo pointed out that during his time in Europe as a service engineer, they use to go to maintain site at 2am; “there is no fear of anything happening to you, you can travel across country even to a remote location.”

Remmy Nweke & Yinka Awosanya

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Akwule decries lack of Africa’s contribution on Internet

Prof. Akwule, President,DBI

Echoes @ Nigeria IPV6 Roundtable 2012:

The President, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Prof. Raymond Akwule has decried the absence of significant Africa and Nigeria’s contributions in particular into the core Internet development.

Speaking at the 2012 edition of the Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable held in Lagos, Prof. Akwule who presided over the occasion, organized by DigitalSENSE Africa Media in collaboration with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Internet Society (ISOC) Nigeria chapter, with the theme: IPv6 and the Future of Internet in Nigeria.

He said it has become worrisome there is absolutely no contribution from Nigeria on core internet evolution.

 “You will find out that there has been absolutely no contribution from our own country in this process,” he decried, wondering if this was because Nigeria and Africa at large lack the requisite people and capacity

“Is it because we don’t have people who understand language of the internet, architecture, engineering software?” he asked.

But, Prof. Akwule was quick to add that the above should not be the case, declaring “if we don’t have them in country, we have them in Diaspora.”

As the current president of Digital Bridge Institute, Prof. Akwule said unequivocally that Nigeria has what it takes to make relevant impact and contribute to the development of the Internet in some areas.

He, therefore urged experts to come up with how to improve on Nigeria and Africa’s contribution to Internet development, saying that this could start by crafting what happens in the core architecture of the internet such that Nigeria’s presence will be felt not just as users of the internet.

He enjoined Nigerians not to worry about studying a particular subject, pointing out that most bright Information Technology (IT) person he met so far in all institutions including the current one did not study IT.

“My best IT person that does all kinds of wonders did not study IT and I always say that because there is lesson there,” he submitted.

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Right-of-Way guidelines explained

The Federal Government has  explained why it issued new Right of Way (RoW) guidelines to regulate the modalities of laying fibre cables on federal highways across the country.

 

This development came as the Federal Government has set up a joint minister 8-man committee to strengthen its position and determination in ensuring the issue of RoW is nipped in the bud.

Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Efem Nkanga disclosed this to ITRealms, saying that the joint 8-man committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson and her counterpart in the ministry of works, Mr. Mike Onolememen in Abuja.

She noted that current submitted new right of way (RoW) guidelines to direct laying of fibre cables on federal highways nationwide.

According to her, in a press statement made available to ITRealms, one of the steps of achieving this goal will be to eradicate poor quality of service in the telecoms industry.

The committee, she said, made up of four members each from both ministries submitted the report to the two ministers at the Ministry of Works penultimate Friday.

She explained that new RoW guidelines to be adopted soon, pegs the chargeable RoW access fee for laying of ICTSP ducts and cables at N145.0/linear metre and N20.0/linear metre as annual maintenance access fee, subject to periodic reviews at five-year intervals or whenever compelling circumstances demand such reviews.

The new guidelines, she said, also stipulates that henceforth applications for granting of RoWs will be treated and concluded within 30 calendar days.

 “The new guidelines mandate infrastructure sharing to reduce incidents of multiple digging up of roads which compromise the integrity of the roads,” she said, warning, however that any contravention of the guidelines will lead to suspension of RoW, revocation of RoW and a fine of a million naira a day.   

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson was quoted as saying that the collaboration and partnership between the two ministries is a demonstration of how President Jonathan’s cabinet is working to deliver on the President’s transformation agenda.

She said that the report marks a very important milestone in the quest to improve quality of service delivery in the telecoms industry and will ultimately lead to a reduction in the cost of providing infrastructure in the country.

Mrs. Johnson stressed that the implementation of the RoW guidelines at the federal level will lead to improved service quality and broadband penetration in the country because fibre is a key transmission element for broadband.

She assured that the two ministries would continue to collaborate to deliver on the Federal Government’s transformation agenda and pointed out that the need for the guidelines to be adopted at the state level in order to ensure fibre deployment nationwide.

To underscore how low fibre deployment is in Nigeria, she said that the United Kingdom (UK) that is, one quarter the size of Nigeria has 60 times more fibre than Nigeria.

She said that the communications technology ministry will continue to partner with the ministry of works to foster a holistic way of laying fibre across the country for the benefit of the industry. 

 “It’s a new era and a new time in that we will begin to build the critical infrastructure that we need in the country” she said.   

Equally in his remarks, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen said that the issuance of new RoW guidelines is one of the firsts of the collaborative hallmark of the Jonathan’s administration.

He said that the Ministries are synergising to deliver Nigeria to greater heights, emphasising the need for the collaboration amongst the two ministries and the setting up of the Committee rose as a result of the need to coordinate the provision of infrastructure to Nigerians because of the plethora of companies bastardising RoWs without requisite benefits to the country.

The minister said that once Mrs Johnson broached the subject to his ministry, he immediately bought into it and the outcome is the issuance of new RoW guidelines that will facilitate effective service delivery in the telecoms sector.

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Exclusive! ITAN on WITSA: Olufuye says approach unpatriotic, advises Seriki to focus on lifting ITAN

Dr. Jimson Olufuye

The immediate past president of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Dr. Jimson Olufuye, has responded to the announcement of his sack from the board of World IT Service Alliance (WITSA) among other allegations by the new leadership of the association, describing it as unpatriotic and lacks decorum.

Reacting exclusively to ITRealms Online soon after the announcement ITAN’s The new National Executive Council (NEC) of ITAN led by Mrs. Florence Seriki declared him sacked from WITSA board as its vice chairman and attendant allegations, Dr. Olufuye, said he is not in contention to hands-off WITSA as he has done Nigeria proud to have pioneered since 2008 on voluntary basis.

He cautioned the current leadership of ITAN led by Mrs. Florence Seriki, to concentrate on building upon the foundations already laid, rather than destroying what have been built.

He also described the steps taken so far by the present leadership of ITAN as unpatriotic and reactionary, which depicts lack of respect, decorum, civility and vision on the part of the current leadership.

On AfICTA, Dr. Olufuye refuted the claims that ITAN never agreed to be part of the alliance, saying “AfICTA was part of a grand plan to reposition Africa in the global ICT ecosystem just as my colleagues and I, had the privilege to so reposition ITAN itself like never before.”

He emphasised the resolve to relinquish the role at WITSA, saying “I'm not being paid to be Vice-Chair 

of WITSA, it is a voluntary service for which I had the honour of doing Nigeria proud having pioneered Nigeria's membership in 2008. I'm very much disposed to relinguishing that role even though I'm hearing this from you. However, courtesy demands that she communicates with me on her decision which she did not.”

Olufuye further advised Mrs. Seriki’s leadership in ITAN to focus on how to make progress and take the association to the next level.

“I've served my term so I'm not in any competition. She would do the industry well if she concentrate on progress by building on what has been built rather than pulling what has been built down,” he counseled.

Remmy Nweke

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Breaking News! ITAN sacks Olufuye from WITSA board

Dr. Olufuye, former ITAN president

… Hosts Johnson to stakeholders’ dinner, harmonises with NCS

Mrs Seriki, ITAN current president

The last may not have been heard of the controversy between the immediate past leadership of the Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) led by Dr. Jimson Olufuye and the current president, Mrs. Florence Seriki, which has led to Olufuye’s sack from the board of World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) as its vice chairman.

This is coming as ITAN’s National Executive Committee (NEC) rose from a meeting on at the weekend to distance ITAN from a newly formed African ICT Alliance (AFICTA) by Olufuye.

Also, the association has planned to host the Communications Technology minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson to a stakeholders’ dinner on Friday, June 6, 2012.

These developments came as ITAN members would now have mandatory registration with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), while retaining their corporate membership of ITAN.

The new National Executive Council (NEC) of ITAN led by Mrs. Florence Seriki made these disclosures at the weekend, says the Minister would be hosted at an event tagged ‘Roundtable Meeting and Dinner’ at Golden Gate, Ikoyi-Lagos.

According to Mrs. Seriki in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, the event would deliberate on all IT critical issues with key government officials as they effect the sector.

She also said, the event is heralds efforts to clean up ITAN and work with other professional groups to advance the cause of the industry.

Seriki said, ITAN has formally harmonized as an industry group with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the remaining IT industry stakeholders, stressing that the harmonization represents a major lift for IT practitioners and ends over a decade strictures between ITAN, NCS and Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

“This will enable the entire industry to speak with one voice from now,” she said.

Seriki explained that the harmonization is the outcome of the work of a ‘Special Committee on Harmonisation’ comprising of the Presidents of NCS, ITAN, ISPON and CPN; where the decision to harmonize the workings of these organisations were passed and approved.

“All the recommendations of this Committee to harmonise the industry was adopted and passed. Henceforth all IT practitioners in the industry will register with NCS as individual members. Whilst they register their companies with any of the industrial groups like ITAN, ISPON among others,” she said.

ITAN notes that the industry would definitely speak as one voice as all the representatives of each industrial group will be at the NEC of NCS and College of Fellows.

“Issues relating to hardware will henceforth be referred to ITAN while issues relating to software be referred to ISPON and etcetera,” she said, adding that by implication, only companies duly registered with one of the industrial groups within the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and with its Chief Executive Officer and one key staff being individual members of the NCS could apply for tenders issued by federal, state, corporate organisations and parastatals.

ITAN NEC also announces the relieve of its immediate past president, Dr. Jimson Olufuye of his position as ITAN’s representative on the board of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) in a move designed to reposition ITAN, restore accountability and transparency.

ITAN will therefore be represented on the WITSA's board by Mrs. Seriki or any of her representatives in her capacity as ITAN’s president.

“Olufuye ceases to represent ITAN on the WITSA board with immediate effect and before the completion of his tenure by October 2012, Also, the removal of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr  Olu Joseph was also announced as his new position had been earlier circulated,” the NEC stated in the press statement.

The new ITAN leadership, which has since clarified that the ‘Association’ is a Limited Liability organisation by guarantee, is not bound by any constitution but by the Association Memo and Articles.

This ends controversies stirred by its former executives that ITAN is an association bound to a constitution.

The new executive has since rectified and obtained the new certificate of Incorporation, C02, C07, from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registry.   

Further, ITAN president noted that the raging controversy over accountability and allegations of illegal bank withdrawal relating to the immediate past president, Dr. Olufuye, she responded that the new NEC had subjected the last three years to a re-audit by a new auditor and the issue of illegal withdrawal by Dr Olufuye even after he ceased to be ITAN’s president were “issues already under investigation.”

“We have a new ITAN in place that is able to fully represent the aspirations of its members, reflect the needs of the industry and operates on open and transparent bases,” said ITAN’s President Mrs. Seriki.

Dr. Olufuye was Vice Chairman of the WITSA before his removal by ITAN’s new leadership. He sat on the board of WITSA in his capacity as the president of ITAN. The WITSA is a consortium of associations from the information technology (IT) industry around the world and it represents over 90 per cent of the world IT market, and has a stated goal of advancing the growth and development of the IT industry.

In a similar vein, ITAN has dissociated itself from the African ICT Alliance (AFICTA) formed by Olufuye and presumed to be part of ITAN.

“ITAN would not be part of the newly formed African ICT Alliance (AFICTA) formed by Olufuye,” Seriki said, emphasising that ITAN never approved its participation with this African ICT Alliance group formed by Olufuye and had never given any approval to any of his activities in this regard.

She added that the appointment of Mr. Tola Sogbesan by Dr. Olufuye was never approved by the Board nor ever brought to the notice of the President and therefore this appointment be withdrawn with immediate effect.

“That all past act of Dr Olufuye to act without board approval and with no regard or respect to the current President should stop as subsequent reports would warrant the Board to take more drastic action,” Seriki said.

Remmy Nweke
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Meet Stephen, winner of DSA Students’ Essay contest 2012

Stephen Ekene Aguegboh, winner of DSA Student Essay Contest'12

Aguegboh, Stephen Ekene, the winner of the first-ever Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa Media Students’ Essay Contest 2012 was born in Gusau Zamfara State, a devout Christian imbued with true greatness wrapped in simplicity and a strong, unshakable faith in the will of God.

He has strong analytical and communication skills and a good background knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, excel and Desktop Publishing. His hobbies are reading, travelling and surfing the Internet. Stephen is fluent in Igbo and Hausa languages and slightly understands the Yoruba language.

Stephen completed his primary school education at Ideal Nursery and Primary School, Gusau Zamfara State in 1997; where he emerged the top in his class and the West African School Certificate (W.A.S.C.) in 2003.

In 2006, he secured admission into The Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda where he graduated with a National Diploma in Accountancy (Distinction) and was the top in his class. Afterwards, he did internship at Intercontinental Bank, now Access Bank, Gusau Branch, Zamfara State.

He is presently an final year undergraduate in the Department of Economic, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

As an undergraduate, he has held so many leadership positions including Representative, Student Union Government, the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State; President, and Investment and Motivation Club, The Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.

In 2011, Stephen became the Secretary, Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA), Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, before assuming office as Editor-In-Chief/President, Economics Press Association (ECOPRESS), Department of Economics, UNN.

Also, in 2011 he directed affairs at Research and Academic Planning (DRAP), Policy Analysis and Research Group (PARG), Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

2011 – President, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Nigeria, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Chapter, Enugu State.

Additionally, he has some awards in his shelf comprising the SIFE Team UNN Man of the Year 2011, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Nigeria; 2011 Best Paper Presenter, Policy Analysis and Research Group (PARG), Department of Economics; and Essayist of the Year, Policy Analysis and Research Group (PARG), Department of Economics,  all of UNN Nsukka Chapter, Enugu State, respectively.

While 2010, Stephen won the National Winner as the 1^st runner up, the African Institute of Business Simulation (AIBS) maiden ideas show contest; 2009 saw him repeating same feat, this time on AIBS’s Innovative Brains Competition.

Stephen is the 2006 national winner, the Nigeria Stock Exchange 7^th Annual National Essay Competition for Tertiary Institutions; just as in 2003, he won the State Cowbell Annual Secondary School Mathematics Competition.

 
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