Broadband Commissioners examine innovative partnership - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development held its 2019 Spring Meeting in Menlo Park, United States of America, 28-29 April, under the theme “Shaping the future of broadband for sustainable development" reports ITREALMS.

Broadband Commissioners – representing the broadband industry, governments, academia and United Nations agencies – reviewed the important work underway and the progress achieved by the Commission's Working Groups and discussed future trends and developments now that more than half of the global population is online. They discussed how collaborative approaches could contribute to faster digital transformation and how investment strategies and people-centred approaches enable people to get and remain online in an informed, inclusive, secured and sustainable manner.

The Commissioners also examined the use of innovative partnerships and business models to assist the expansion of broadband networks and foster secured uptake and the development of digital skills in remote and rural areas to ensure widespread access to the benefits of broadband.

The meeting hosted by Facebook, had President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Co-Chair of the Commission saying, “There is no valid reason to constrain basic freedoms or limit access to broadband. We simply need the means to enforce our laws and hold individuals accountable for what they do online, just as we do offline."

“Creating an attractive environment for investment in digital infrastructure must be one of our top priorities in order to achieve our goal of connecting the remaining half of the global population," said Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General. “Future networks like 5G and other emerging technologies are set to play a pivotal role in the digital economy. Our task is to ensure that they can benefit everyone, everywhere."

Mr Carlos Slim, Co-Chair of the Commission in a message delivered on his behalf emphasized the need to have “a regulatory framework that encourages competition and innovation, generates investment and benefits consumers. It should have stable conditions to give confidence and certainty for investment. Penetration, connectivity and convergence should be promoted. He added, “the issues discussed by the Commission at this year's Spring meeting are crucial to shape the “Future of Broadband" in a way that it enhances the quality of life for everyone."

Kevin Martin, Facebook Vice president of Mobile and Global Access Policy said, “Facebook was honoured to host the Broadband Commission and support its important work to connect the unconnected so they can safely use and benefit from the Internet."

On Sunday, 28 April, Commissioners took part in onsite sessions of three Broadband Commission Working Groups on: Child Safety On-line, Digital Infrastructure Moonshot for Africa and Freedom of Expression and Tackling Online Disinformation. This was followed on Monday, 29 April, with the full-day annual Spring Meeting of the Commission which saw two new working groups being proposed, on AI for global health and on school connectivity. The meeting concluded with a visit to the Facebook campus.

Comprised of leaders from government, industry, international organizations and academia, the Broadband Commission was established in 2010 as a top-level advocacy body promoting broadband as an accelerator of global development. The Commission is chaired by President Kagame of Rwanda and Mexico's Carlos Slim Helú. In September 2015 it was re-named the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development with the specific purpose of working to help achieve, through the power of broadband connectivity, the Sustainable Development Goals.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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Rudman, Obaniyi emerge President, VP @NIRA - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Mr. Muhammed Rudman has emerged the new president of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this to ITREALMS immediately after the election result was announced at the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the chairperson of the NIRA Election Committee 2019, and former President of the association, Mrs. Mary Nma Uduma, said that Mr. Rudman was returned unopposed.

She also said that Mr. Toba Obaniyi of WhoGoHost emerged the Vice President, while two other members were elected into the Executive Board of NIRA, namely Mr Lawrence Olawale-Roberts and Mr. Sola Akinsanya.

Congratulating them, she urged them to work closely with the incumbent EBoD members so as to take NIRA to a higher height.

Other members of EBoD comprised Mrs Nkem Nweke, Mr. Murtala Abdullahi, Dr. Eugene Ohu, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Jnr, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani who is the Treasurer, and Mr. Biyi Oladipo, the Financial Secretary.

Equally speaking the chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Chima Onyekwere, congratulated the new board and applauded the outgoing leadership of Rev. Sunday Folayan for their contributions.

Responding, the immediate past president, Rev. Sunday Folayan, expressed gratitude to God for the successes, over the progress that NIRA made during his tenure.

“It is my pleasure, to congratulate the new team that we elected to lead NIRA for the next 2 years.

“God will give you all the unction you need to function in the roles you have all been elected to. Amen.”

He assured the new leadership of “undivided loyalty and support for you and your team, as you pilot the affairs of our dear Association. May God give you grace, wisdom, courage and all other essentials to be successful.”

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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Pic: NiRA BoT and members of EBoD

Dell Technologies cloud accelerates customers’ multi-cloud journey - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Dell Technologies has unveiled Dell Technologies Cloud, a new set of cloud infrastructure solutions to make hybrid cloud environments simpler to deploy and manage. Combining the power of VMware and Dell EMC infrastructure, Dell Technologies Cloud removes cloud complexity by offering consistent infrastructure and operations for IT resources, across public and private clouds and the edge, regardless of location, reports ITREALMS.

According to IDC, more than 70% of companies are using multiple cloud environments, and the largest data center challenge most companies face is developing a successful multi-cloud strategy.2 Operating in multiple clouds has caused organizations to onboard many management consoles and disparate processes, which stifles innovation and adds complexity. The hybrid cloud approach is an ideal solution by offering a familiar management interface that extends across clouds for a simplified overall experience. With VMware research finding that 83 percent of cloud adopters are seeking consistent infrastructure and operations from the data center to the cloud3, the Dell Technologies Cloud is designed specifically to address this challenge.

“For many organizations, the increasingly diverse cloud landscape is resulting in an enormous amount of IT complexity, and no one is more qualified or capable to help customers solve this challenge than Dell Technologies,” said Jeff Clarke, vice chairman of products and operations, Dell Technologies. “Cloud is not a destination; it’s an operating model. With Dell Technologies Cloud and joint engineering between Dell EMC and VMware, we are offering a unified hybrid cloud experience. This provides consistent infrastructure and operations at every location the cloud resides—from on-premises data centers to public clouds and the emerging edge—allowing our customers to have greater control of their multi-cloud journey.”

The Dell Technologies Cloud portfolio consists of the new Dell Technologies Cloud Platformsand the new Data Center-as-a-Service offering, VMware Cloud on Dell EMC. These enable a flexible range of IT and management options with tight integration and a single vendor experience for purchasing, deployment, services and financing. Dell Technologies Cloud gives customers more control as the operational hub of their hybrid clouds, on premises, with consistent cloud infrastructure across all cloud types and a broad set of more than 4,200 VMware Cloud Provider Program providers and hyperscalers.

This hybrid cloud approach is delivered through a powerful integration of hardware, software, services and consumption options from Dell, Inc., the No. 1 global revenue leader in cloud IT infrastructure,4 and VMware, ranked No. 1 in revenue of cloud systems management software based on IDC’s latest research.5

The Dell Technologies Cloud complements this core technology with a broad set of value-added services, such as security, data protection and lifecycle management. It helps ensure success through consulting, infrastructure deployment, management, support and education services while offering public cloud-like consumption of IT infrastructure.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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CBN to regulate Fintech - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed its putting in place a Collateral Management Regime (CMR) to regulate the activities of Fintech firms and startups in the country, reports ITREALMS.

The Director, Payments System Management Department (PSMD), Sam Okojere, who represented the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed in his keynote address at the inaugural Lagos Fintech Week in Lagos, that the “CMR is being developed in line with on-going efforts to evolve a robust collateral management regime which will be proportionate to transactional level of participants within the payment system”.

Lagos Fintech Week (LFW) is an invigorating week of distinct Fintech events that delivers exciting discussions, stimulating demos and insightful debates.

According to him, the consequences of the new regime are that both incumbents and new entrants will operate without unnecessary collateral burden.

A fintech lawyer and partner, Private Equity Capital at the chambers of Aluko & Oyebode, Oludare Sembore who also spoke at the event said: “The Nigerian approach to fintech regulation is somewhat similar to the United States and South Africa. Fintech in these countries are not governed by any specific legal framework, as the regulators are currently taking steps to understand the concept”.

He also said that the current Fintech landscape in Nigeria is largely regulated by circulars and guidelines published by the CBN and a host of existing regulations that apply to “traditional financial service institutions”, he said.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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CGN warns Buhari over appointing unpopular CommTech Minister - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN) has warned President Muhammadu Buhari to be very mindful in selecting who becomes the next Communication Technology Minister for the country, reports ITREALMS.

Rising from his meeting on Sunday in Lagos, CGN said this has become expedient due to the experience the industry had in the last four years under the Barr. Adebayo Shittu leadership, which is not comparably near the good work the pioneer Minister, Dr. Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson did.

This was contained in a press release issued and signed by the President of the Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN), Wole Adedoyin in Lagos, they also said “The first term tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari had nothing good to write home about in the area of Information Communication and Technology when compared to the impact made during the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan when Dr. Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson headed the Information Communication and Technology Ministry”.

“President Buhari should stop playing politics with the Ministry of Communication Technology," CGN declared, wondering how a Barrister of law will be appointed to head such fragile ministry, "has the ministry turned to Law Chamber? We want competent, skilled, proficient, capable and an achiever who has contributed enormously to the development of the country’s Information Communication and Technology (ICT) rather than making another irrelevant professional to head the Ministry.”

Buhari, CGN insisted, should know that Barrister Adebayo Shittu is a failed experiment. "Such experiment shouldn’t happen again. The country’s ICT performance is not improving when compared to the foreign and other African communication ministries. Barrister Shittu is a wrong peg in a right hole and we hope this type of mistake committed by President Muhammadu Buhari won't happened again.”

Computer Guild of Nigeria finally commended other ICT stakeholders in the country for their competency, professional conducts and patient to withstand the current problems facing the country’s communication ministry.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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Ecobank reaffirms technology lead to corporate sustainability - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Ecobank is leading the way as technology changes the traditional bank model with the reaffirmation to corporate sustainability.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“Ecobank”), parent of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African bank with operations in 36 countries across the continent, concluded its 31st Annual General Meeting in Lomé, Togo, today.

Ecobank Group Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh said: “Over the last few years we have taken strong measures to ‘Secure the Foundations’ of Ecobank and the Board is confident that our strategy, and the actions that we have taken so far, have positioned the company for sustainable future growth with a return on equity above the cost of equity.”

Ade Ayeyemi, Group Chief Executive of Ecobank Group, said: “It is the long-term financial success of the company that remains paramount. As such, we will continue to build on and enhance the technology platforms that enable us to engage with more customers and partners and deploy a robust digital communications strategy. The traditional bank model that we all know is rapidly changing with technology and we must continue to position ourselves effectively to succeed in this technological journey of transformation.”

The 31st AGM also provided a platform for the bank to demonstrate its commitment to promoting positive environmental and social change, with the launch of the Ecobank Group Chairman Sustainability Award, which encourages all Ecobank affiliates and employees to develop sustainable projects and transactions that will have beneficial impacts on issues such as health, education, financial inclusion.

Shareholders welcomed Ecobank’s profit for the year to 31 December 2018 as they approved all the resolutions at the AGM, which included the ratification of the co-option of Mrs. Aichatou Agne Pouye, Ms. Arunma Oteh and Dr. Aasim Ahmad Qureshi as Directors. Mrs. Pouye and Ms. Oteh are Independent Directors and Dr. Qureshi is a nominee of Qatar National Bank. Shareholders also voted to renew the mandates for three years of Mr. Ade Ayeyemi, Dr. Catherine Ngahu and Mr. Mfundo Nkuhlu (a nominee of Nedbank Group Limited) who had completed their three-year terms of office as Directors.

The firms Deloitte & Touche, Nigeria, and Grant Thornton, Côte d’Ivoire, were re-appointed as Joint Auditors for a one-year term.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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MainOne to build data centre in Cote D’ivoire by October - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

MainOne has confirmed resolve to build data centre in Cote D'Ivoire by October this years, reports ITREALMS.

This follows the issuance of a submarine cable landing license to MainOne by the government of Cote D’Ivoire, the company has announced that it is on schedule to land the cable and launch services in Abidjan by October 2019. 

ITREALMS gathered that MainOne has made significant progress in the project implementation process. All critical surveys have been completed, and work is ongoing at the Cable Landing Station and Data Centre in Abidjan.

MainOne’s Regional Executive, Kazeem Oladepo, made this known during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Abidjan, where members of the Board of Directors of the Group visited the VITIB location to observe the on-going construction of the data centre and the cable landing station.

The data centre and landing station will provide the necessary infrastructure to support the growth of the broadband ecosystem in Cote D’Ivoire and the Francophone region, improve Internet access in the region, reduce bandwidth prices and make digital services more accessible. “By investing in this infrastructure, we hope to bring meaningful and much-needed technology solutions to businesses and enable them in their quest for improved productivity and efficiency through dedicated and reliable connectivity services. We are prepared to collaborate with operators to expand capacity in Cote D’Ivoire and neighbouring countries to enhance regional integration and global access,” he continued.

The strategic location of the datacenter in the Grand-Bassam technology free trade zone, VITIB, will further strengthen the digital ecosystem in the zone, and attract more businesses and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the region.

MainOne is committed to deepening broadband access across West Africa via fibre infrastructure and data centres. With service delivery in 10 countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cameroun, Benin, Niger, Senegal and Chad, MainOne operates up to 10 Terabytes per second (Tbps)  international submarine cable system which guarantees highly reliable connectivity to support the growing demand for Internet access and bandwidth-intensive applications such as eCommerce, Content providers, OTT players and electronic banking and payment services.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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DRIF19: Participants want renewed action to protect Africa’s digital space - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Participants at the 2019 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum have expressed concern at the spate of violation of human rights online on the African continent, reports ITREALMS.

The delegates who spoke at the closing session of the 3-day Forum held in Lagos, from April 23-25 welcomed participants and speakers from across Africa and beyond. The Forum provides a platform for conversations on efforts to ensure human rights online are not violated and that more people in Africa are connected to the internet.

Anriette Esterhuysen, the former executive director of the Association for Progressive Communications, in her submission, argued that the internet has to be protected and remain open as “it is the usually the only means of expression for some minority groups to access information on issues that are not openly discussed.”

Grace Githaiga, the co-convener of KICKTANET said, despite the challenges facing the digital rights space on the continent including internet shutdown, harassment of internet users and online journalists, and lack of data protection laws in many countries, “advocates should celebrate the positive- good laws, initiatives, and partners that allow us to meet and remaining optimistic of a better future.”

This came on the backdrop of conversation on internet censorship that has rocked the continent over the last few years. Africa now leads with the highest number of countries shutting down the internet or restricting service. In Chad, for example, social media has been shut down by the government for over a year now. In 2019 alone, Chad, Sudan, Zimbabwe and DR Congo have either shut down the internet or restricted access to services.

Speaking on the challenges facing efforts to improve internet penetration, Funke Opeke, the chief executive of MainOne Cable, emphasised the need for government to partner the private sector instead of constituting itself as a stumbling block to expand internet access. She said governments in other climes “create the right incentives and structures to facilitate access to the internet especially in the rural areas. Dr Ernest Ndukwe, a former chief executive of the Nigerian Communication Commission, also urged civil society and active citizens “to focus more attention on what government can do to ensure people have access.”

The Forum also explored the state data protection and privacy laws on the continent. Ephraim Kenyanito of Article 19 and Morisola Alaba of Media Rights Agenda, while speaking on the new 5G technology, said there was an urgent need to have data privacy legislation as the technology made its way to the continent, saying the technical capabilities of 5G could allow for greater surveillance capacities for repressive governments.

The Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, ‘Gbenga Sesan urged delegates to go back to their countries with a renewed energy to contribute to efforts to keep the internet safe and open to all users, saying “Digital rights advocates are in the business of not minding our businesses. We have no choice but to be involved in efforts that help protect the internet, and to resist action that endangers human rights online."

#DRIF19 is the seventh edition of the Forum which is convened annually to provide an “important platform where conversations on digital policy in Africa are shaped, and policy directions forged.” The Forum, organised by Paradigm Initiative and supported by Google, Ford Foundation, and Heinrich Böll Stiftung, welcomed delegates from various countries and background.

Nenye  Dom/Editor

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UNHCR evacuates hundreds of detained refugees in Libya to safety - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has evacuated some 325 refugees from the Qaser Ben Gasheer detention centre in southern Tripoli amid deteriorating security and escalating violence. The relocation was carried out together with IOM, reports ITREALMS.

“The dangers for refugees and migrants in Tripoli have never been greater than they are at present,” said Matthew Brook, UNHCR Deputy Chief of Mission in Libya. “It is vital that refugees in danger can be released and evacuated to safety.”

The refugees have been transferred to the Azzawya detention centre, where they are at reduced risk of being caught up in the hostilities. Upon arrival, they were provided with key aid items and medical care by UNHCR and its partner the International Medical Corps. The most vulnerable, including women and children, are being identified and will be taken to UNHCR’s Gathering and Departure Facility.

The relocation is the fourth UNHCR-organized transfer since the recent escalation of the conflict in Libya as our teams endeavour to get detainees out of harm’s way. UNHCR has relocated more than 825 refugees from the Ain Zara, Abu Salim, Qaser Ben Gasheer, Tajoura and Zintan detention centres in the past two weeks alone.

UNHCR remains concerned for some 3,000 refugees and migrants who remain in detention centres in Tripoli. The deteriorating security situation means it is imperative that refugees and migrants are immediately released and provided a pathway to safety. While the violence continues, UNHCR and humanitarian agencies’ teams have restricted access to detention centres to provide vital lifesaving aid and assistance.

Current conditions in Libya continue to underline the fact that it is a dangerous and unsuitable place for refugees and migrants. UNHCR reiterates that no effort should be spared to prevent those rescued at sea from being returned to Libya.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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STEMCafe partners ENYO Retail and Supply on Kids Creativity Play Space - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The STEMCafe, in partnership with ENYO Retail and Supply, has officially launched its first Kids Creativity Play Space in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

Kids Creativity Play Space, ITREALMS gathered, is a non-linear learning centre for kids and young adults between the ages of 5 -18 years old can experience the amazing world of STEM in a fun and interactive way.

The STEMCafe, a brainchild of Bosun Tijani, CEO and Founder, CcHUB, the leading technology innovation centre in Nigeria, which is one of many to come, is designed to showcase the various engaging activities that will help the kids develop lifelong learning and interest in STEM. At the Cafe, the kids will spend time creating various projects and a wide array of fun interactive activities as well as design and print 3D models to experiment with amazing creations and ideas, all under the guidance of trained STEM educators.

In the modern global economy, STEM is closely linked with a nation’s economic prosperity. Nations who have become global leaders, in large part, have done so through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers and innovators. Nigeria’s position will continue to decline unless more kids pursue expertise in STEM fields. Nigeria must expand the capacity and diversity of the STEM workforce pipeline to prepare the younger generation for the best jobs of the future that will see Nigeria become innovative, secure and competitive.

Bosun Tijani, CcHUB Co-founder and CEO says, “There is an urgent need for an extensive application of scientific and technological breakthroughs to leapfrog development across Africa. Exposing our young people to STEM at an early age is one sure way of building a generation of innovators and thinkers who will sustain and strengthen the evolving position of Africa in the world. I am extremely excited to once again contribute to building a fun platform that will build a new generation of leaders for science and technology across Africa through the STEMCafe.”

Based on their promise to deliver best-in-class retail experiences leveraging complimentary brands, Enyo Retail and Supply, is partnering with STEMCafe in delivering this first location.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun, CEO Enyo Retail & Supply, says, “We believe the two organizations are partnering because we believe in learning and creating a conducive learning environment for young people, specifically learning around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We see the linkages; we like the partnership with STEMCafe, and together we will support the capacity of our younger generation in STEM towards the growth of the continent.”

Fernando Madeira, CFO, Enyo Retail and Supply, stated that “Enyo Retail and Supply continues to set the technology trend in the oil and gas industry with the launch of the STEMCafe - incorporating innovative technology and cutting edge initiatives as a truly modern company well interested in the well-being and future of their community.”

The future will see STEMCafe collaborating with more organizations in creating spaces that will give kids the interactive experience needed for them to remain confident in their imaginations, thus promoting creativity in the younger generation.

At an annual membership of Five Thousand Naira Only (5000.00 Naira only) and a variety of membership packages for access to the activities, the STEMCafe is open to all kids aged 5-18 from Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays and 2:00PM to 6:00PM on Sundays.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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