Nigerian developers embracing SkillsMix outsourcing portal - Adesoga

ITRealms

Developers of Information Technology (IT) projects, especially web-based in Nigeria have began to embrace the SkillsMix outsourcing portal for their executions, says the Managing Director/chief executive officer, Thought Studio, Samuel Adesoga, at the Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) in Lagos, Tuesday, during a chat.

He also said that the developers expressed their support for the platform, stressing that CcHub is Nigeria’s first open living lab and pre-incubation space designed as a multi-functional, multi-purpose space where work to catalyze creative social technology ventures take place.

ITRealms recalls that the hub is a place for technologists, social entrepreneurs, government, tech companies, impact investors and hackers in and around Lagos to co-create new solutions to the many social problems in Nigeria and the world at large.

Mr. Adesoga pointed out that local project owners who seek skillful professionals to execute and fulfill their projects need not worry any more as SkillsMix is open to all freelance web designers, web developers, marketers and writers who require avenue to express their prowess. 

Equally, he said that the outsourcing and crowd-sourcing site was designed specifically for project owners seeking how to effectively execute their projects, which could be a web design or similar projects on time and on budget.

“The project owners can outsource the projects to freelancers in order to save costs” he said, underscoring the fact that SkillsMix portal would source the right freelance designers, developers, writers among others from across the nation on behalf of the project owners.

He, therefore, urged local IT developers who are mindful of earning additional incomes to register on the site, as registration on the SkillsMix site is free. Some categories of job listed on the site include logo design, graphic design, basic web design, e-commerce, blogs, content management systems, mobile apps, social networks, database, search engine optimization, web apps and software, writing and marketing.

Explaining how SkillsMix works to ITRaelms, Adesoga said that project owners are required to post their projects and project specification on the website, thus enabling registered freelancers and skilled workers to locate these projects and join the project's discussion online.

“SkillsMix’s objective is to deepen the growing information communications technology industry in Nigeria” he declared.

According to him, SkillMix is designed such that each project has its own discussion forum where freelancers would raise questions concerning the project under scrutiny. The freelancers would convince the project owner about their skills and experiences as well as qualifications to execute the projects. Each skilled worker/freelancer has a profile page that exhibits the communication skills, work ethic, technical skills, reviews from past projects to name a few.

By Chuks Egbuna:

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11 Turkish cosmetic firms arrive Nigeria on trade mission

ITRealms:

A total of Eleven Turkish cosmetics manufacturers have arrived Nigeria on special trade mission for a high-level business meetings with leading importers and manufacturers of cosmetics in Nigeria.

ITRealms gathered that from Tuesday, October 29th, the Turkish cosmetics manufacturers will hold a series of business meetings and close deals with selected leaders in the Nigerian cosmetics sector and provide fast track support for the cosmetics sector in Nigeria.

Sources close to the delegation informed that the visit was spurred by the growing strategic importance of Nigeria as a key emerging market and the increasing reputation of Turkey as a world class manufacturer and a reliable supplier of top quality goods and cosmetics.

The Turkish cosmetics sector is particularly growing and realized over $1 billion in export value in 2012 alone. With Nigeria's large population and equally growing cosmetic industry, Nigeria and Turkey are poised for stronger ties and a mutually beneficial trade partnership.

The delegation from Turkey,  will consist of 11 companies, two senior representatives of IKMIB Istanbul Chemicals & Chemical Products Exporters Association and the owner of the project, two representatives from the Ministry of Economy of the Government of Turkey, MetinCobanlioglu the Director  of Globrand, Coordinators of the project. The Head of the delegation is the Chairman of IKMIB Mr. Murat Akyuz

The top cosmetics companies coming from Turkey include Akdeniz Dis Tic. Gida San. Ltd. Sti.;AlfarKozmetik San. A.S.; BeyazKozmetikIth.Ihr.San.ve Tic. Ltd. Sti.; DogatekIcve Dis. Tic Ltd. Sti.; IpekIdrofi I Pamuk San. ve Tic. A.S.;NucosKozmetikKimya San.ve.  Tic. Ltd. Sti.; PinkarKimyaSanayiive Tic.A.S.; RebulKozmetik San.ve Tic.A.S.; SCK Zeta Dis TicaretPazarlama Ltd. Sti.; SebatKimyaSanayiIcve Dis Ticaret A.S. and TurkuazMedikal, Kozmetikve Dis Ticaret Ltd. Sti.

Mr. Akyuz, the leader of the delegation, pointed out that the Turkish cosmetics cluster is a special project aiming to increase international trade as well as boost the exports  of a selective group of companies. The group has been selected from the most competitive manufacturers in the sector.

So far, he said, the project have organized many activities in abroad, namely in Panama, Mexico, Paraguay and Chile, noting that those companies coming to Nigeria for this visit are among the world's best.

Turkish products, he said, are of high quality European standards, just as they also have the advantage of competitive prices, flexibility in packaging and production as well as having the shortest possible delivery periods.

"Our special visit here reflects our commitment to Nigeria and our recognition of its importance as a key strategic market.  We want to develop long term business relations in Nigeria with our high quality products, and also make it easier for Nigerian cosmetic manufacturers and importers to do business with Turkey," Mr. Akyuz said.

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Microsoft employees mark 30-yrs of giving back, visit Heart of Gold Children

 

Employees of Microsoft Nigeria in Lagos joined the global software company family to commemorate its annual giving back day, which is on its 30th year, visits Hearts of Gold Children Hospice in Lagos.

ITRealms gathered that Microsoft employees as part of commitment to give back to the society every October, conduct this outing by visiting a special location or embarking on special project in support of the community where the company operates.

This year, they had a date with Hearts of Gold Children Hospice in Lagos, where the team spent time with the kids and also donated some items to the Hospice.

ITRealms recalls that at Microsoft, giving is reportedly ingrained in its culture, as employees assent to this day as one of the most rewarding aspect of their jobs.

The programme, which began in 1983, saw about 200 Microsoft employees raising $17,000 for nonprofits activities.

Also, ITRealms gathered that at present, over 35,000 employees participated in the campaign, which is approximately 65 per cent of Microsoft’s total U.S. workforce.

This, also coincided with 30th Employee Giving Campaign, and $1 billion in employee contributions to more than 31,000 nonprofits around the world since 1983.

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Pix: Some Microsoft staff during the visit to Heart of Gold, Lagos

NigeriaCom 2013: Digital Quality Delivery is Top Priority – Etisalat

 ITRealms:

A two-day discuss on connectivity, telecoms, media and Information Communication Technology (ICT) hosted by the Nigeria Com 2013 and sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria in Lagos, Nigeria, ended with a declaration by experts that digital quality delivery should be top on priority of operating networks.

The event which came to a close on the 18th of September 2013, with the theme ‘Working Together to Provide Quality Services Throughout The Digital Realm’, saw the 4^th edition of the annual conference and exhibition attended by over 700 telecom experts from over a dozen countries, discussing sustainable quality of service, innovative offerings, issues in the digital industry, and added services.

These, experts overtly agreed operators needed to capitalize on by working closely with content providers.

ITRealms recollects that on day-1, Etisalat Nigeria’s Director Network Engineering, Mr. Temi Ogunbambi gave a keynote during a panel debate on the topic “Quality of Service on the Network: Challenges & Opportunities for Telecoms Operators in Nigeria,” stressing that Etisalat took quality of service seriously and passionately by creating sustainable strategies for transforming connectivity delivery in the country.

He also disclosed that Etisalat worked diligently to ensure that this would be continuously maintained across the country with the top priority of giving consumers value for money.

Equally on day-2 speakers harped on the boom in mobile financial services, applications and the use of social media, with representatives from Google, Mobile Monday, Ibaka TV, Eskimi, 2go, and the Ekiti State Government, among others.

ITRealms recalls that NigeriaCom Conference and Exhibition is part of a series of mobile events targeted at bringing together the entire digital ecosystem to discuss opportunities and development of the system.

We hereby serve you some of the photonews from the 2013 Nigeria Com.

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Google dangles $125,000 on Africa Connected, invites entries

Google is dangling a total of $125,000 on Africa connected, a project on powered by the web, thus inviting entries for the prize with deadlines October 31, 2013.

According to Affiong Osuchukwu, the Google Lead for the Africa Connected initiative, this is the final month for submissions to Google’s new competition ‘Africa Connected: Success stories powered by the web’.

Osuchukwu also expressed the hope that Google finds the most inspiring stories in Africa about how the web has transformed the lives and business ventures of its users - Africa, get connected!

Explaining that the five successful entrants will win $25,000 each, and will also have the opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period to further their business success.

"Entries close on 31st October 2013 - categories include Education; Entertainment/Arts/Sports; Technology; Community and NGOs; and Small Businesses," Osuchukwu affirmed in a press statement made available to ITRealms.

As noted by Osuchukwu, from Madagascar to Morocco, from big metropoles to rural villages, from photographers to community activists, Google have been received hundreds of submissions about how people are using the web and technology to do cool and extraordinary things to overcome hurdles and be successful.
"There’s less than a month to go before the competition closes, so if you have a great story that you haven’t yet told us about, we definitely want to hear from you” Osuchukwu said.

For Juliet Ehimuan, the Country Manager, Google Nigeria, commented, she looks forward to seeing some exciting Nigerian stories.
“We’re hoping to see strong Nigerian representation in the competition entries.  We already know about many inspiring success stories, like those of Asurf and Afrinolly, but we know there are lots more out there. The judges are looking forward to seeing a diversity of submissions, including from technology, agriculture, energy, fashion, education and entertainment," she enthused.

She cited an instance with the great work done by Chike Maduegbuna, owner and creator of Afrinolly, based in Nigeria. Afrinolly is a popular mobile app, which lets people across the continent watch short videos on their mobile devices.

"This app has transformed Nigeria’s Nollywood film industry by creating a movie trailer platform for new audiences. With over 3 million downloads already since its launch in August 2011, Chike hopes this will create a platform that connects aspiring film professionals with global film industry veterans," she emphasized.

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Ireland: War on tobacco worthy, but must not be rushed

ITRealms:

Opinion:

IT was not so long ago that secondary school children were allowed to smoke in many of the more "advanced" schools around the country. Staff rooms were also often full of teachers puffing on pipes and cigarettes as pupils regularly entered and left.

Today, the idea of a 17-year-old taking a puff between classes seems as strange as quill pens or the regular floggings that were a feature of the Irish educational system for far too long. The world changes, and smokers have had to endure more change than most as their habit has moved from socially acceptable to pariah status.

The Government's latest plans to outlaw smoking anywhere in secondary school grounds and near creche facilities is another step in a long-term strategy to "de-normalise" smoking and ensure that fewer than one person in 20 smokes by 2025.

That is a noble objective, but like many others it is one to be pursued carefully.

The prohibition of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s did little more than cement the position of criminal gangs, and serves as a salutary warning. There is already plenty of evidence that high taxes in Ireland are a boon for crooks while also turning many otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals.

There is also the question of equity. Many ordinary smokers deeply resent their outlaw status and insist, not without reason, that their behaviour is likely to be less lethal to others than speeding drivers or alcohol.

That is all true, but the truth is that most smokers wish they could kick the habit, and hundreds of thousands of smokers have done just that thanks to the policy of de-normalising smoking. The gradual escalation of this policy will undoubtedly save more people from premature death while also saving them money.

Health Minister James Reilly has had a mixed tenure in office, but he cannot be faulted for his commitment to fighting tobacco and the tobacco industry. He must now set himself measurable targets so he knows whether he really is on track with this grand ambition.

Additional reports by Irish Independent: 

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Rafik Dammak wins NCSG chairmanship

ITRealms:

The 2013 annual election of the Noncommercial Stakeholders Group (NCSG) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) closed Monday, October 14, 2013, with emergence of Rafik Dammak as the new chairman of the group.

Also elected as NCSG Representatives to the Generic Name Supporting Organisation (GNSO) Council include Wolfgang Kleinwachter, Avri Doria, and Amr Elsadr.

Confirming this to ITRealms, the outgoing chair of NCSG, Ms Robin Gross, said that the newly elected chairman is expected to stay in office for a one-year term, while the three representatives to GNSO would be in office for a two-year term each.

It was further gathered by ITRealms that Rafik’s emergence came with 176 votes, whereas Wolfgang got 141, Avri got 140 and Amr has 96 respectively.

However, information available to ITRealms shows that total ballots cast were 147, while 126 were the actual votes counted after exclusion of duplications with 74 members could not vote.

With its charter approved in 2011, NCSG represents through its elected representatives and its constituencies, the interests and concerns of noncommercial registrants and noncommercial Internet users of generic Top-level Domains (gTLDs).

 
Thus, providing a voice and representation in ICANN processes to non-profit organizations that serve noncommercial interests; nonprofit services such as education, philanthropies, consumer protection, community organizing, promotion of the arts, public interest policy advocacy, children's welfare, religion, scientific research, and human rights; public interest software concerns; families or individuals who register domain names for noncommercial personal use; and Internet users who are primarily concerned with the noncommercial, public interest aspects of domain name policy.

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Pix: Rafik Dammak

NIRA: Onyekwere takes over BoT chair from Odeyemi

ITRealms:

Chairman of Linkserve Limited, Chief Chima Onyekwere, OON, has been elected the new chairman of the Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA).

ITRealms gathered at the weekend that following the inaugural meeting of the NIRA Board of Trustee (BoT) which took place on Thursday, 10th of October, 2013 at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Onyekwere emerged.

According to our investigations, main business of the day for the inaugural BOT meeting was the election of a new chairman. 

"Chief Chima Onykwere, was unanimously elected as the chairman BoT. He takes over from Dr. Isaac A. Odeyemi, who is the pioneer BoT Chairman," Mrs. Uduma, the NIRA president confirmed to ITRealms.

She further said that Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture retained her post as the Secretary of the BoT. 

The only new member to the BoT, she said, was Mr. Emmanuel Edet who is representing National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on the BoT.

Other members, she said, who returned to the BOT include Mr. Olaleye Alao, Mr. Shina Badaru, Mr. Y.Z Ya’u, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, Prof. Adenike Osofisan and herself, Mrs. Mary Uduma, President, NIRA.

Onyekwere prides himself as the pioneer Internet service provider in Nigeria and has continued to prove his capacity as far as internet development is concerned in Nigeria.

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US introduces new $100 note with 3D

ITRealms:

The United States Federal Reserve, equivalent of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tuesday began what it classified as supplying financial institutions with a redesigned $100 note that has Third Dimension (3D) security feature among others, ITRealms reports.

This $100 note incorporates new security features to deter counterfeiters and help businesses and consumers tell whether a note is genuine,

A press statement made available to ITRealms, showed that distance, demand and policies of individual financial institutions would influence how quickly the redesigned notes reach businesses and consumers globally.

The Federal Reserve Board Governor, Jerome H. Powell says that the new design incorporates security features that make it easier to authenticate, but harder to replicate.

“As the new note transitions into daily transactions, the user-friendly security features will allow the public to more easily verify its authenticity,” he said.

Also, Jerome was quoted as saying that the Federal Reserve, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the U.S. Secret Service partnered to redesign Federal Reserve notes to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats.

According to him, the redesigned $100 note includes two new security features: a blue 3-D security ribbon with images of bells and 100s, and a colour-changing bell in an inkwell. The new features, and additional features retained from the previous design, such as a watermark, offer the public a simple way to visually authenticate the redesigned $100 note.

ITRealms recalls that consumers worldwide are advised that it is not necessary to trade in older-design $100 notes for new ones.

“It is U.S. government policy that all designs of U.S. currency remain legal tender, regardless of when they were issued,” part of the statement read.

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Future of Internet: Experts warn against fragmentation

ITRealms:

Some 10 leading organisations responsible for the coordination of the Internet technical infrastructure globally ended its meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay reinforced their commitments, warning against fragmentation of future Internet.

Those at the meeting according to the Director of Global Media Affairs at the Internet Corporationn for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mr. Brad White, in a chat with ITRealms include Adiel A. Akplogan, CEO, African Network Information Center (AFRINIC); John Curran, CEO, American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN); Paul Wilson, Director General, Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC); Russ Housley, Chair, Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Fadi Chehadé, President and CEO of ICANN; Jari Arkko, Chair, Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF); Lynn St. Amour, President and CEO, Internet Society (ISOC); Raúl Echeberría, CEO, Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC); Axel Pawlik, Managing Director, Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) and Jeff Jaffe, CEO, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

ITRealms gathered that the meeting rose after considering and insisting that the Internet and World Wide Web have brought major benefits in social and economic development worldwide.

“Both have been built and governed in the public interest through unique mechanisms for global multistakeholder Internet cooperation, which have been intrinsic to their success,” they said.

The leaders also discussed the clear need to continually strengthen and evolve these mechanisms, in truly substantial ways, to be able to address emerging issues faced by stakeholders in the Internet.

The meeting further recommended that “They reinforced the importance of globally coherent Internet operations, and warned against Internet fragmentation at a national level. They expressed strong concern over the undermining of the trust and confidence of Internet users globally due to recent revelations of pervasive monitoring and surveillance.

“They identified the need for ongoing effort to address Internet Governance challenges, and agreed to catalyze community-wide efforts towards the evolution of global multistakeholder Internet cooperation.

“They called for accelerating the globalization of ICANN and IANA functions, towards an environment in which all stakeholders, including all governments, participate on an equal footing.

“They also called for the transition to IPv6 to remain a top priority globally. In particular Internet content providers must serve content with both IPv4 and IPv6 services, in order to be fully reachable on the global Internet,” they stated. 

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