TheNewsGuru

Tag: ICT

  • Financial inclusion: Kaduna ICT hub partners London’s Coinfirm

    Financial inclusion: Kaduna ICT hub partners London’s Coinfirm

    A London-based Coinfirm and KAD ICT Hub, a Kaduna State-based ICT company say they are partnering to launch Africa Blockchain Lab, a trusted all-in-one cryptocurrency company to increase financial inclusion across Africa.

    KAD ICT Hub, a partnership between Kaduna State Government and Telemax Engineering Services Ltd., was established in 2017.

    It brings together companies such as Coders4Africa, Draper Dark Flow and Gebeya, first-of-a-kind centre that incubates world-class technologies, talent and innovation.

    In addition to housing software start-ups, it runs training courses with focus on girls’ education.

    Mr Grant Blaisdell, Co-founder of Coinfirm, said on Thursday in Kaduan that the initiative would bring world-class blockchain companies working on solutions for African markets.

    Blaisdell, who defined cryptocurrency as a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange, added that the lab was the first-of-its-kind on the African continent.

    He said the lab would provide a home to companies and entrepreneurs building blockchain-based products and services relevant to African economies.

    According to him, the Africa Blockchain Lab is a joint venture between Coinfirm, and KAD ICT Hub, a state-backed IT innovation hub.

    “The first tranche of Lab tenants include financial inclusion start-up Kora, a blockchain-powered marketplace, infrastructure, and digital payments solution for inclusive financial systems that connect people, communities and capital.

    “One of the first initiatives to be launched in the lab will be the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Token Network and the Coinfirm AML and Know Your Customer (KYC) Platform.

    “The AMLT Network is the first global system that provides opportunity to report online scams, fraud and cybercrime related to cryptocurrency addresses and earn token from Coinfirm.

    “This provides a mechanism for victims to report and provide evidence that can help fight against bad actors in the internet space,’’ Blaisdell said in a statement.

    He said that Coinfirm, a global blockchain company provided bank-grade AML/KYC compliance to blockchain and crypto companies.

    He also said Coinfirm had already successfully built leading blockchain solutions, the largest structured blockchain database and coverage and the first blockchain lab for Central Europe.

    “Together with KAD ICT Hub we hope to bring transformative blockchain-based solutions to African markets.

    “With the Coinfirm’s AML/KYC Platform and AMLT Network, we will provide opportunities for African entrepreneurs working in one of the most exciting and disruptive fields today.

    “While cryptocurrencies provide an alternative to fiat currencies, blockchains are decentralised, immutable and transparent ledgers, free from central control.

    “This means both are potentially transformative technologies in the face of authoritarian governments, corruption and economic exclusion,’’ Blaisdell said.

    Malam Yusuf Bashir, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of KAD ICT Hub, said that the Nigerian economy was the largest economy in Africa, adding that the transformative potential of blockchain was enormous.

    “I am confident that working with Coinfirm, we can provide the testbed and support for today’s leading African blockchain companies, giving them the opportunity to become global leaders.

    “KAD ICT Hub has been working with Coinfirm’s blockchain-powered data provenance document verification platform, Trudatum, which was recently integrated by the largest bank in Central Europe.

    “In Nigeria, Trudatum is being proposed as a solution to government and universities as a more effective way of securing documents,’’ Bashir said.

     

  • Organisation offers free software development training for pupils

    Organisation offers free software development training for pupils

    A software development company, Softwareshop Pty Ltd., has begun a three-month free training for pupils, in an effort to meet the target of training 100,000 Nigerians in partnership with Codefest Nigeria.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mr Austin Agbakor, made the disclosure at the launch of a Computer Village Hub (CVhub) in Ikeja.

    CVhub, the venue of the training, was established by Softwareshop. Agbakor said that the training was also to give back to the society.

    According to him, training children well on software development, and providing the right environment, will boost Nigeria’s production of software with international standards.

    “CVhub starts free training on Aug. 6 at the heart of ICT market in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    He expressed the hope that the beneficiaries would acquire relevant skills at the training.

    “CVhub will make products that can be tagged `made in Ikeja’ during this training through children,” Agbakor said.

    He urged the three tiers of government to invest in capacity building especially in technology for improved economy.

    A software developer at Codefest Nigeria, Mr Victor Morgan, said that CVhub was looking forward to excelling.

    “CVhub is looking forward to doing great; we are looking at ideas that are disruptive among the kids.

    “CVhub trains kids to be lords of themselves,” he said.

    CVhub is offering training in coding and cloud, among others.

     

  • NCC to open up, assign other spectrum bands to telcos

    NCC to open up, assign other spectrum bands to telcos

    The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has said, given that spectrum is a critical mobile infrastructure, it will open up and assign other spectrum bands for telecoms service providers in the country.

    NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Danbatta, made this known, while also stressing that the Commission will open up and assign the other spectrum bands in an open and transparent manner.

    TheNewsGuru had earlier in a feature urged the telecoms regulatory commission of a greater need to tread with caution in order to avoid monopoly with the Visafone spectrum transfer to MTN Nigeria.

    This is given that the MTN/Visafone spectrum transfer has raised issues among telcos operators in the country.

    ALSO READ || Telecoms: NCC must avoid monopoly with Visafone spectrum transfer

    TheNewsGuru reports reports that 2.3GHz spectrum has been licensed for wholesale wireless last mile services.

    According to Danbatta, there are ongoing discussions with various levels of government to facilitate speed in processing permits, harmonisation of tax regimes and to ease the deployment of infrastructure, including streamlining right of way charges.

    He said that there were also limitations and access gaps in metro fibre deployment to nodes, neighbourhoods and last mile connection to homes and businesses, which the government needed to address.

    “Since spectrum is a critical mobile infrastructure, the commission will strive to provide the required frequency spectrum capacity.

    “The commission will facilitate the re-farming of existing spectrum held by operators to provide broadband services without impacting their quality of service delivery.

    “We will open up and assign other spectrum bands in an open and transparent manner,” he said.

    According to Danbatta, the availability of broadband infrastructure will unlock new opportunities and drive a second wave of growth in the telecoms industry and the economy.

    Meanwhile, speaking at ICT Watch Network Award Ceremony held on Friday in Lagos, Danbatta stated that broadband access is an important feature in communications infrastructure policy and should be treated as a key economic indicator.

    According to him, broadband deployment has a strong impact on GDP, employment and productivity in all economic sectors.

    “It can be seen all over the world that there is a higher economic growth in countries with more broadband penetration than countries with less broadband penetration.

    “Hence, governments and regulators worldwide are strongly in support and make every effort in promoting broadband deployment, in order to stimulate the development of the economy and the society.

    “The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) advocates that Broadband should be treated as an essential service like electricity and water, it is difficult to imagine life without water or electricity,” he said.

    Danbatta assured that the commission would continue to drive and support high speed broadband connectivity to end users through various initiatives.

    He said that initiatives such as licensing of InfraCos, on a regional basis, provide metropolitan fibre and wholesale transmission services on a non-discriminatory, open access and price regulated basis.

    The Executive Vice Chairman said the roadmap was to have fibre point of access in every Local Government Area in in the country within four years of the commencement of deployments in each geopolitical zone.

     

  • Union renews int’l commitment to combating stolen ICT devices

    The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has renewed commitments to combating counterfeit and stolen Information and Communications Technology (ICT) devices.

    TheNewsGuru reports the ITU standardization expert group for protocols, test specifications and combating counterfeit made the commitment arising from its July 18-27 meeting.

    Some of the challenges identified for counterfeiting and stealing ICT devices include, but not limited to, tampering of existing ICT identifiers, which majorly has to do with changing the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of a device.

    It was found that multiple device users now exist with the same IMEI numbers, and that, in some cases there is no IMEI number at all.

    Different stakeholders face some challenges to detect and control devices with altered/duplicated IMEI, the tampering/cloning of unique identifiers affect both the combat of counterfeit and stolen ICT and tampering and manipulation of ICT identifiers affect the functioning of operator’s network.

    ICT counterfeiting poses dangers to the health, safety and privacy of consumers, and the number and range of affected products is growing.

    Counterfeiting has seen ICT companies fall victim to revenue losses and erosions in brand value as a result of trademark infringement.

    Consumers do not experience the quality of service (QoS) associated with their chosen brands, in some cases even to the detriment of their health.

    The meeting shone spotlight on the battle against counterfeit and stolen ICT devices, a global challenge to which ITU members, which Nigeria belongs, are developing a global response.

    An ITU workshop held in conjunction with the meeting on July 23 showcased innovative solutions to the challenge, and offered a platform to discuss concerns surrounding the tampering with or cloning of ICT device identifiers.

    Part of the solution to the challenge include the need for vendors to start implementing IMEI in non-erasable and nonreprogrammable ROM of mobile phones.

    It will also include strict implementation of IMEI-blocking measures, kill switches, and deterring policies.

     

  • Edo Innovation Hub maps sustainability path

    Edo Innovation Hub says it has trained no fewer than 724 entrepreneurs in less than three months of its operation to boost private sector activities in the state.

    The outfit, supported by the state-government, is a cluster for innovators and inventors in Benin City.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki, at the launch of the hub in June, said that the state government set up the outfit to enable youths to strengthen the technology ecosystem in the state, adding that the intention was to leverage on technology for job creation and enterprise development.

    In a statement on Thursday, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Job Creation and Skills Development, said that the centre had in the last few weeks trained 724 entrepreneurs.

    “Two hundred females are being trained by Microsoft and Tech4Dev; 32 persons participated in LinkedIn MeetUp sessions to build a vibrant business community and leverage networking for local and international businesses.

    “Forty-nine budding app developers participated in Curators University’s Artificial Intelligence boot camp; 23 developers were trained by Hotels.NG on coding and app development.

    “Other partners include Makers Academy, who trained 40 students on robotics and 59 trained by Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre in entrepreneurship and innovation.

    “Siemens, Impact Hub conducted pre-hackathon orientation for 25 aspiring entrepreneurs in the power sector while Microsoft took 50 teachers on Basic Digital Literacy for Teachers.”

    Dare said that there was a sustainability plan in place to ensure that the private sector took the lead in the growth of the state’s technology ecosystem, adding that trainings and business incubation would continue at the facility.

    She added that ATC Nigeria donated three fully equipped ICT centre in Benin, Irrua and Ekpoma, to deepen the penetration of tech-driven development across the state.

    She explained that a good number of the firms at the hub had expressed interest for long-term partnership with the state government.

    According to her, the state government is exploring the option of a trust fund to sustain the hub.

    Drae said the facility houses the South-South Innovation Hub with two halls, five training rooms, six fully-furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with a total of 100 computers, offices, conference rooms and outdoor workspaces, among others.

     

  • Broadband coverage: FG to licence new service providers – Osinbajo

    Broadband coverage: FG to licence new service providers – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has announced plans by the Federal Government to expand the broadband coverage of the country through the licensing of private broadband providers soon.

    TheNewsGuru reports Osinbajo made this known in his keynote address while headlining the Google for Nigeria 2018 event that held at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, on Thursday.

    He said the measure would improve the digital space and opportunities for innovation and technological advancement of the country.

    “Next week I will launch a climate innovation centre in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre at the Lagos Business School, here in Lekki Village.

    “All of these form part of our ICT road map in which the private sector is an important stakeholder.

    “The challenge remains connectivity, extending broadband reach, making data cheaper.

    “Our national broadband policy is the first step we are taking.

    “And so through the Nigerian Communications Commission we are licensing a number of infrastructure companies who will invest in rolling out broad band infrastructure across Nigeria.

    “I believe that we can extend broadband connectivity and reach significantly within a year or two and we will be partnering in whatever way we can with Google, with Nigerian broadband providers like 21 Century Technologies, BCN, to quickly achieve the level of connectivity that is required to march the creative energy that is being released in our country on a daily basis.

    “Our goal is to create a data-driven digital economy, one that would lead to the way not just in Africa but globally as well.’’

    Osinbajo expressed the belief that Nigeria was on the right path as the nation had the people and the talent.

    He added that there existed a government that had seen the potential very clearly and showing the determination to unlock that potential.

    According to him, technology has put great powers in our hands as individuals but more importantly as co-creators and collaborators to positively and dramatically change the course of human existence.

    Osinbajo noted that with technology the country could solve many problems confronting the people.

    He said that in addition, the country could connect people, grow businesses, influence good governance, and create better lives and a better country for the citizens and for the future.

    He said that the country was in many senses at an exciting moment in history because of what the young people were doing in innovation and their sheer energy and talent.

    Accordingly, the Vice President noted that the future the country was looking at, which had already arrived, is bound to be an exciting one for the youth and adults.

    He said that the government would be with the youth in every step of the journey.

    The Vice President thanked Google for democratizing the country’s digital space urging that such innovations should be extended to many of the nation’s markets where a large number of people pride their business.

    He observed that through Artificial Intelligence the country was guaranteed more food and better healthcare.

    He said every step made to make technology available would lead to a quantum leap in the African development story and a major contribution to global stability and growth.

    He described the launch of the Google station in the country as a very exciting event because of the company’s promise to provide access in several public spaces.

    He said the country was happy with the Google’s partnership and had been energizing the country’s markets with solar power, especially in Aba, Kano, Lagos and Ibadan.

    He said access to information, tools of education, business or commerce ensured that a lot of gaps of inequalities and exclusion were bridged.

    Osinbajo recalled that a digital skills training programme was launched in 2016 aimed at training of 400,000 youth on basic digital skills adding that the government had since trained more than one million persons in partnership with Google and local digital firms.

    He added that to scale up the support of private players in the technology space government created the technology and creative industry advisory group as part of the industrial council to support young players in the industry.

    He stated that through the GEM programme of the World Bank, the administration had given a $2 million lifeline to 79 start-ups across the country while the Bank of Industry had set aside a N10 billion technology fund also.

    “We are looking at increasing the availability of the fund and how to use all the development finance banks to extend credit to innovation and technology start-ups.

    He said that government was committed to building an ecosystem to drive innovation adding that government was training 5,000 developers as part of the country’s N-Power tech programme with another 3,000 being trained in animation.

    The VP added that government was supporting the students’ hub innovation challenge across institutions to support student entrepreneurs.

    The Country Director of Google, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, earlier said that the African digital story was evolving and the organization planned to keep building products and programmes to accelerate growth in Nigeria and Africa.

    She recalled that in 2017 the company had brought together Google’s global leadership with over 200 key stakeholder in the industry.

    She said that the organisation remained committed to developing the digital ecosystem and making its products more useful for Africans.

    “Most of Africa’s biggest challenges may not be solved by methods of the past; with machine learning and artificial intelligence these problems can be solved in a radically different way both faster and more cost effectively.

    “For example today with a smart phone and a camera and existing apps it is possible to detect and prevent diseases, predict severe weather conditions, like droughts, and also address financial inclusion for the un-banked.’’ she stated.

    The Google chief said that the country would continue to seek digital growth of Nigeria and Africa as Nigeria currently had over 45 million mobile internet users and future growth would be driven by smart phones currently growing at 14 per cent ever year.

    She recalled that Google had committed to training five million Africans as well as to train the next developers of Africans and giving them Google certification

    Ehimuan-Chiazor said that entrepreneurs in Africa would create the jobs of the future adding that the company was willing to through its Launchpad Accelerator Africa give more than $3 million equity free support to more than 60 early stage start-ups in the continent.

    “Since the launch earlier this year, 12 start-ups have graduated from the programme, working across a range of industry.

    “They have created 132 jobs and raised over $7 million in funding and their products are used by approximately 4.5 million users,’’ she noted.

    She also recalled the $20 million pledged to support non-profits in their jobs.

    In a related development, the Vice President declared open the Co-working Conference 2018 of innovators in Lagos where he stressed the need for collaboration and partnerships among entrepreneurs to boost productivity and economic growth.

     

  • NITDA to establish ICT Innovation Hub in 6 geo-political zones – DG

    NITDA to establish ICT Innovation Hub in 6 geo-political zones – DG

    The National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA), is to establish ‘ICT Innovation Hub’ in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.

    The Director-General of the agency, Dr Isa Aliyu Pantami, disclosed this at the inauguration of one of the ‘ICT Innovation Hubs’ in Katsina on Tuesday.

    He said establishing the facility was necessary so as to encourage digital innovation as well as to reduce unemployment especially among the youth for the development of the country.

    ‘’Our role is to ensure Information Technology enables every sector of our economy, creates jobs through ICT innovations, develop techno-entrepreneurship and eventually brings about the kind of digital transformation as in developed nations.

    ‘’Therefore, we must encourage and empower our talented youths to take advantage of the digital era having lost the opportunity of the industrial age.

    ‘’Africa, with 15 per cent of the world population, cannot afford to miss the opportunities of the digital age,’’ he said.

    He said that ICT Hub would also assist to enhance Small scale and Medium Enterprises which serve as engine of economic growth of the country.

    ‘’It is these realities that informed our decision to establish ICT Innovation Hub in each of the six geo-political zones of the country as pilot scheme.

    ‘’It is also a strategic move to support the Federal Government’s commitments to addressing unemployment by making ICT tools available for the youths to encourage and promote digital innovation and job creation in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    He said NITDA established the Innovation Hub in Katsina State to serve the entire North West because of the commitments the state had shown in ICT development and for the fact that Katsina is among the states with high number of productive youths.

    Pantami said the center would serve all tertiary institutions within the zone as well as other sectors of the economy.

    He urged all stakeholders to continue to join hands with the agency in its efforts of evolving Africa and Global digital transformation.

    In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Masari, said that the agency in collaboration with the state government had trained 34 youths on basic certificate in ICT.

    Masari, represented by the Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, said that government would continue to partner with similar agencies for technological advancement of the state.

     

  • ICT Roadmap: NIPOST to create 250,000 jobs

    ICT Roadmap: NIPOST to create 250,000 jobs

    The Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) is to create additional 250,000 jobs by 2020, an official said on Monday in Lagos.

    The NIPOST Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr Thomas Gaga, made the disclosure at the official launch of the Nigeria ICT Roadmap 2017-2020.

    The occasion featured a sensitisation workshop on the roadmap.

    The workshop had the theme: “The Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of Nigeria ICT Roadmap”.

    Gaga said that the jobs would be created through the implementing of the roadmap.

    According to him, implementation of the roadmap would enable NIPOST to create e-stamps, engage in e- commerce and generate more revenue.

    Gaga also said that the implementation would strengthen NIPOST’s presence nationwide.

    He said that NIPOST had property nationwide and desired to collaborate with the private to turn the property around.

    The official said that NIPOST also planned to partner with the private sector in e-commerce activities to boost performance.

    “We are also looking at financial inclusion; we want to collaborate with the financial sector to provide services for the underserved and rural areas.

    “NIPOST will also like to partner with banks on address verification system, so that we can have the authentic address of citizens,” he said.

    Mr Augustine Odo, Deputy Director, Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Nigeria Communications Commission, said that the roadmap would enable both public and private sectors to prosper.

    He said that the ICT roadmap would play vital roles in the collaboration of both private and public sectors which would boost the Nigerian economy.

    Odo said that the roadmap would serve as a communication tool and a high level document that would help to articulate strategic thinking to achieve goals.

    “ICT plays significant roles in all sectors; for instance even in the agriculture sector, technology is needed to boost production.

    “The role of ICT in the educational sector also cannot be overruled; we are in a digital world where students make use of computers and internet to further educate themselves,” he said.

    Odo said that collaboration with the private sector would unveil investment opportunities with the licensing of infrastructure companies.

    He added that such a partnership would enhance diversification in job and wealth creation, and boost national security.

     

  • How ICT is revolutionising fashion industry

    How ICT is revolutionising fashion industry

    Mrs Blessing Achu, founder, 360 Creative Innovation Hub, Lagos, says Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is revolutionising fashion industry and urged fashion designers to use it or lose out.

    Achu said this on the sidelines of a six weeks digital entrepreneurship training for women in Kaduna, organised by Digital African Woman (DAW) tagged: “DAW Business Innovative Training Programme”.

    She said that ICT had broken barriers in fashion business and created huge digital opportunities for sustainability.

    According to her, no fashion designer will succeed without utilising ICT for efficiency in designs, marketing, and the potential of attracting investors for growth and sustainability.

    “Fashion is a long value chain, but we are so much into cutting and sewing and neglecting what makes the business sustainable and how to make money beyond ourselves.

    “Most fashion designers depends on family and friends to give them clothes to sew with no idea of how to go beyond that to the larger global market, bridged by information technology.

    “With technology, you will not depend on family and friends; you will know the people that appreciate your products and how to reach out to them to meet their needs.

    “At the comfort of your house, technology will help you understand where your traffic comes from; helps you identify your customers, sample their opinion and decide how to serve them better,’’ she said.

    Achu noted that with African Fashion being appreciated globally, fashion designers in Nigeria were increasingly getting international recognition.

    She however said that there was no sustainability in fashion business in the country because local fashion designers could not go beyond family and friends to selling in stores and boutiques.

    “This is not because we do not have creative people, but because we simply do not know how to maximise the potential of the entire value chain in fashion business.

    “This is why only a few fashion lines in Africa will remain alive long after the designers are dead,’’ she said.

    Achu said that 360 Creative Innovation Hub was established to change the narrative about fashion business in Nigeria.

    “We are helping fashion designers to identify their key strength in fashion value chain, their growth plan, how to attract investors and how to know what they are good at and what to outsource.

    “We are equally helping them on how to infuse technology to make the business sustainable; we help with website development, fashion blogging, digital marketing and styling among others,’’ she said.

    She said that the 360 creative hub had recently organised a fashion acceleration programme for 20 participants, adding that 10 of them were participating in the DAW’s digital entrepreneurship training.

    “We are collaborating with DAW to empower, support and grow businesses of female entrepreneurs, because we can do better when we collaborate; someone always knows better’’.

     

  • Human trafficking: Obaseki advocates skills-based migration

    Human trafficking: Obaseki advocates skills-based migration

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that Edo indigenes migrating to other parts of the world stand a better chance at life if they are equipped with on-demand skills to make them globally competitive.

    Governor Obaseki, who said this during a town hall meeting with indigenes of Edo under the aegis of Great Benin Origins (GBO) Worldwide, in Brussels, Belgium, noted that the state government is already working out modalities for Edo youth to develop these skills in the state.

    He kicked against the activities of human traffickers, who have given the state a bad name, noting that the state government is firming arrangements with local and international partners to train youth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that they can be globally competitive.

    “Instead of all these people coming in to take money from these children, you can come, we will register you, we will train you, we will certify you and give you visas to go and work abroad. That is how it is done in other countries.

    “Our people are very important, and I am calling on you to join me in laying the foundation for the future,” he said.

    He lauded the group for working assiduously in sustaining the Benin identity, calling for a united front in the quest to develop the state.

    According to him, “Let us not make ourselves sub-minorities. Let us show unity and strength in numbers. So, we must make sure we come together, and reach out to others as Edo people.

    “We are doing other things in the area of infrastructure. That is the one you will see. We are rebuilding our road networks. Thank God we have a well-planned like city”

    President, Great Benin Origins (GBO) Worldwide, Engr. Isaac Igbinosun, lauded the governor for his leadership style, commitment to attracting investment to the state and initiatives on youth development.

    “We are proud of you, we are proud of your achievement since you took over the leadership of governing our state, Edo. We feel safe each time we look at what you are doing. We are solidly behind you and anytime we are called upon, we will be there to contribute our quota back home. It is always said that no matter where you go, home is home. We are very proud of you, we encourage you to continue,” Igbinosun said.

    The Great Benin Origin (GBO) is a social cultural organisation that seeks to bring all Edo indigenes in diaspora under one umbrella with the purpose of restoring the lost glory of the great Benin Kingdom, promoting the Edo culture and tradition and assisting the economic development of the state.

    Igbinosun noted that some of the programmes of the group in promoting the preservation of Edo cultures include sponsorship of Edo culture and language competitions, award of scholarships to primary and secondary schools’ students as well as organising a diaspora state workers’ programme for the youth.

    He urged the state government to continue with the reforms on the ease of doing business, as members of the group are interested in investing in various aspects of the state’s economy with focus on agriculture and food security.

    The group also applauded the governor on his initiatives to improve the security architecture and guarantees on the sanctity of contracts, noting that these would endear the state to investors.