Programos takes SiDO to elderly, 200 youths

Programos Software Group has taken Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to the elderly in the country beginning with 50 of them resident in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State, through deployment of Software implementation, Development and Outsourcing (SiDO).

Disclosing this, the group chief executive officer, Programos Software Group, Mr. Emmanuel Amos said that apart from the 50 elderly to benefit from the pilot project would include about 200 youths also from Somolu LGA.

Mr. Amos said that the chairman of Somolu LGA, Hon. Gbolahan Bayo-Stowe, hosted the beneficiaries through the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Programos Foundation.

Also, he said that SiDO pilot would continue in public schools within the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) and Oshodi-Isolo Local Governemnt Area (LGA).

As said by him, this would soon be followed by movement of the project to Eastern, and Northern parts of the country before end of year.

He explained that Programos Foundation is a new Initiative aimed at empowering millions of African graduates from diverse disciplines in Industrial Software Development capabilities for the Business-Process-Outsourcing (BPO) industry.

Established in 2011, Amos said, Programos Foundation, is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization that takes into consideration need to advocate for free and highly subsidized information-technology-enabled-services entrepreneurship education among growing unemployed graduates from the tertiary institutions.

“It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of knowledge economy endowments for sustainable enterprise development, entrepreneurship development for our graduate and undergraduate youths and institutional effectiveness,” he said.

The foundation, he further said, intends collaboration with several partners both in and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Some of these, Amos said, include the United Nations (UN) entities like the UN Global Alliance for ICT Development, UN-GAID, and World Summit on Information Society (WISIS).

Additionally, he said, that the foundation would work with international organizations like the African Union (AU), national governments, non-governmental organizations, business, industry, the media and civil society groups not limited to Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Computer Professional Registration Council (CPN), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to name a few.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

Apple pays N380.2bn to app developers

Apple said it has paid out till date in excess of US$ 2.5 billion, about N380.2 billion, to developers of applications on use globally, reports GSMA business brief made available to ITRealms Online.

Apple also said it now has over 15 billion applications downloaded from its Application Store by estimated 200 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users worldwide.

A statement from the company said that its store now offers more than 425,000 apps, including an “incredible array” of more than 100,000 native iPad titles.

Also, the stated indicated that Apple has paid out more than US$2.5 billion to its developers to date. The company reached its 10 billion download milestone in January 2011, two-and-a-half years after launching the store.

Interestingly, while it took nearly two years to build to the 5 billion download mark in June 2010, it took seven months to achieve the next five billion, and six months to achieve the five billion after that.

According to various analyst reports, in terms of catalogue, Android Market will overtake the Apple App Store in August 2011.

However, it has also been noted that Apple’s App Store market share by download has started to stabilise, following the entry of new competitors into the market, aided by the growth of the iPad customer base – users who are often heavy app consumers. Apple also benefits from having a healthy installed app user base.

In a statement, Philip Schiller, Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Product Marketing, said that: “In just three years, the revolutionary App Store has grown to become the most exciting and successful software marketplace the world has ever seen.”

In a related development, Bharti divided its consumer and business units to expand portfolio.

The report stated that Indian mobile giant, Bharti Airtel, undertake a broad restructuring resulting in dividing of its business into two separate verticals targeting consumer and business customers, respectively.

According to a Times of India report, the restructuring covers both its Indian and Southeast Asia operations and will come into force on 1 August.

The mobile, telemedia, digital TV and other new businesses facing the consumer will form the business-2-consumers (B2C) unit, while the business-2-business (B2B) vertical will continue to focus on serving large corporates and carriers. In an emailed statement to the newspaper, the operator suggested that some job losses could occur as a result:

“We expect the natural attrition to take care of job redundancies that emerge as a result of this; we will try and manage the others through our ecosystem of group companies and partners,” said the operator.

The report notes that the restructuring comes at a time when Bharti is looking to reverse five straight quarters of declining profit, weighed down by costs relating to its recent expansion into Africa. “If they implement these changes it will be great, but this matrix structure has not worked very well for many companies,” said an (unnamed) analyst at a Mumbai-based brokerage firm.

“The thought is really to bring down costs and make the company consumer facing.” The newly-formed B2C unit will be headed by K Srinivas, while Drew Kelton will lead the B2B unit. Both will report to Sanjay Kapoor, Bharti’s CEO of India & South Asia.

ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

NCC seals off Globacom’s Abuja office

Consequent upon the recent directions given to second national operator, Globacom, the telecom regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has sealed off its office outlet in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Head, Media and Public Relations at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka who disclosed this said that a team from the Monitoring and Compliance Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission, led by an Assistant Director, Mr. Ephraim Nwokonneya, on Monday, July 18, 2011, sealed off the premises of Globacom Ltd at Ademola Adetokubo Street by Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja.

According to him, the seal off is sequel to none compliance with the recent sanctions by the Commission, on two directions.

He explained that one of the notices for the sanction was over non compliance with direction on ban of sales of fully activated new SIM cards to the distribution channels, and Non-Compliance with the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers.

Whereas the non-compliance to new SIM cards activation attracted N5.5m, non-compliance for installation of masts and towers attracted N1m.

He further explained that in exercising its powers to enforce compliance, the Commission obtained warrant from the Federal High Court Abuja, to seal off the premises of the company at Ademola Adetokubo Street by Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja.

ITRealms Online recalls that NCC had on penultimate Wednesday fine Glo N6.5m, on two fronts following non-compliance to earlier two notices.

As said by Mr. Muoka, on the case of activated Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards, that is on February 14, 2011, the Compliance Monitoring reports received from Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Abuja and other locations indicated that Globacom SIM cards were fully active.

“After several correspondences conveying the findings to Globacom and a directive to fully comply by February 17, the company failed to comply,” he said.

Muoka also was quoted in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online that the Commission’s Compliance Monitoring further indicated that Globacom Ltd is in contravention of the Direction on the Ban on Sales of Fully Activated SIM cards in Anambra, Borno, Kano, Katsina and Plateau States as Globacom SIM Cards purchased in April 2011 in these states are fully activated as calls were made unrestricted from the new SIM Cards.

The Commission thereby issued Notice of Sanction on Globacom having failed to comply with the said Direction in accordance with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, and the Nigerian Communications (Enforcements Processes to name a few) Regulation 2005.

Therefore, according to him, Globacom is to pay penalty in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira Only) within seven( 7) days from the date of the Notice and that additional sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) shall be paid by Globacom Ltd every additional day as long as the contravention persists.

“That upon continuous failure to comply with the Direction, the Commission may deny Globacom Ltd other regulatory services and /or invoke its powers under section 45 (a,b & d) of NCA 2003,” NCC said.

While on the case of non-Compliance with the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers/Failure to Provide Information Regarding Globacom Ltd’s Mast at Gboko, Benue State, Globacom is in contravention of Section 65 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Second Schedule of the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes) Regulation 2005, Chapter1, 5 of the Relevant Guidelines on Masts and Towers.

For this failure, Globacom Ltd is liable to a fine of N1,000,000 ( One Million Naira Only) payable within 21 days of receipt of the Notice and in the event of failure to pay the stated fine, and consistent with regulatory practice, the Commission may among other things, enforce its statutory powers including but not limited to its powers pursuant to Section 45 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

NCC further warned all telecom services providers to adhere strictly to all its regulations and directions for the benefit of sanity in the industry.

NCC prides itself as an independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, thus responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

ZOOMmobile names Momife, CEO

Reliance Telecommunications Limited, trading as ZOOMmobile Nigeria, has named Mr. Edwin Moore Momife as its managing director and chief executive officer.

Confirming this, the chairman, Board of Directors, Reliance Telecommunications Limited, Senator Annie C. Okonkwo, said the appointment of Mr. Momife as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ZOOMmobile and board member, is expected to evolve, mostly through the implementation of a new strategy for the company. According to the Executive Assistant to CEO, Ms Didi Moughalu in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, Reliance Telecommunications has a proven record.

She said that before joining Reliance, Momife has held various executive positions in the telecommunications and technology industry with over 20 years’ experience in companies such as Xerox, V-Band plc, Eyretel plc, Business Objects SA, Misys, Global Crossing and Mtel in Nigeria.

At Mtel, Mr. Momife who came in as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), rose to the position of chief executive officer prior to selling the mobile arm of the national carrier to the Transnational Corporation plc.

Also she said that since Mtel, Mr. Momife has been involved in the infrastructure development business both in telecom, power, and real estate development.

Reacting to his latest appointment, Mr. Momife was quoted as saying that based on the fact that Reliance Telecommunications has a proven track record of being one of the nation’s first national private telecom operators, the telecom operator would accelerate its pace of transition into a strong industry leading products and services to our customers.

ZOOM has over 2 million customers and offers a comprehensive range of wireless communications services including voice, data (EV-DO) solutions nationwide.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

CWG, Wincor Nixdorf sign 600 ATM deal

The Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) and Wincor Nixdorf have entered into a 600 deal for Automated Teller Machines.

Consummating this deal at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja at the weekend, during the German/Nigerian Economic Forum, the two companies resolved to jointly support the expansion of retail banking in the country, especially with innovative self-service technologies.

The group chief executive officer, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere said that the forum enabled his firm to seal a deal with Wincor Nixdorf for 600 ATMs to be delivered in the next few months.

This order, Okere said would enable CWG to deliver to Nigerian banks without delay any time an order is placed.

“We plan to supply Nigerian banks with these systems promptly – without any lengthy delivery and transit times,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) Banking Division at Wincor Nixdorf, Ms Isabel Nitz, said that Nigeria has become an attractive emerging market.

“We are set to invest more in our partner network here and in optimizing service processes,” she said, adding that it is Wincor Nixdorf’s objective to support customers all over the world in business expansion.

Equally, she said that the company plans to collaborate with local partners to pursue this successfully.

According to her, in a press statement made available by head, corporate communications at CWG, Mr. Chidi Okpala, one of Wincor Nixdorf’s key strengths is the development of innovative solutions in teamwork with customers all over the globe.

This approach, she said, has already been successful in such areas as cash recycling, cash and check deposits, and the rollout of multichannel software.

“Wincor Nixdorf will be making innovative technologies such as these available in the future to the Nigerian banking market,” she assured, stressing that as one concrete example, Wincor Nixdorf is working on test installations with cash recycling systems, which validate deposited Nigerian naira banknotes before making them available again for withdrawal.

Noting that secure automation of cash processes in the cash-heavy Nigerian economy is also one of the goals pursued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She pointed out that the cost of cash handling has continued to rise and will, according to Central Bank estimates, reach N192 billion by next year end.

“With its new portfolio of Cash Cycle Management solutions, Wincor Nixdorf offers solutions that reduce the cost of cash handling, going far beyond the issue of cash recycling and optimizing processes along the entire cash logistics chain,” she said.

Ms Nitz said that the advantages this brings include significant cost reductions, far greater security as well as optimal and transparent processes; even as Wincor Nixdorf is also ready to implement the Central Bank’s goal to roll out more cashless payment processes.

“We can also offer extensive know-how coupled with solutions for processing electronic payments,” Nitz said.

She expressed confidence that Wincor Nixdorf considers itself optimally positioned in the Nigerian banking market, with the 23 of the nation’s 25 banks already installed automated teller machines from the German supplier.

This, she emphasised is key to consolidation of the banking landscape, just as the number of installed ATMs have risen since they entered Nigerian market in 2002, whereas over 4,000 Wincor Nixdorf systems have been installed.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D