TheNewsGuru

Tag: ICT

  • FG to set up ICT Development Bank – Shittu

    FG to set up ICT Development Bank – Shittu

    Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has said plans are underway by the federal government to set up an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development Bank in bid to promote and encourage young entrepreneurs and to provide funding for the ICT industry.

    The minister disclosed this in Yenagoa at the weekend during the launch of the Bayelsa Ecosystem and Ignition Week, organized by the Young Innovators of Nigeria in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government.

    Represented by the former Director of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr. Peter Jack, the minister noted that the ICT Bank will among other services, reduced the dependence on commercial banks for funding and also offer lower interest rates and grow the ICT industry.

    He hinted that in pursuant of the ministry’s mandate of leveraging ICT in its entire ramifications and in order to promote local manpower of ICT sector, the ministry was implementing as part of the 2017 budget, incubation hubs across the six geopolitical zones in the country so as to boost empowerment and growth in the sector.

    “The ministry is also thinking of promoting the establishment of the ICT development bank just like the Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry so as to promote and assist the immediate funding of the ICT industry instead of depending on commercial banks which have high interest rates.

    “The current administration at the federal level has been conscious of the role of ICT and has therefore, been committed over the last three years to ensuring that ICT facilities and services are expended rapidly across the country.

    “We are working round the clock to ensure that very soon the broadband penetration in the country would have risen above 20 percent. Let me also state here that the achievement of 30 percent growth in broadband by the end of 2018 is sacrosanct,” he said.

     

  • FG inaugurates National Steering Committee on Development of Nanotechnology

    FG inaugurates National Steering Committee on Development of Nanotechnology

    The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) on Tuesday inaugurated National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology development to produce policy that would guide Nanotechnology operation in the country.

    The FMST Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said the committee would need to engage in aggressive public awareness on Nanotechnology in all states of the Federation.

    Nanotechnology is the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all other science fields such chemistry, biology, physics, material science, among others.

    According to him, Nanotechnology is one of the areas of science and technology that is crucial to any nation’s development due to its multiplier impact on the economy such as in the developed countries.

    “Nigeria at this stage of its development cannot be left on the need to urgently embrace nanotechnology advances because of the inherent benefits the country will derive from its application.

    “This committee is therefore expected to drive the ministry’s desire of providing a comprehensive national Nanotechnology policy and implementation strategies that could serve as reverence and guidelines for national needs and aspirations on deployment of this technology.

    “In the past, the FMST had led in the promotion of cutting edge technologies in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Biotechnology; Space Science Technology and Renewable Energy.

    “These have all enhanced the lives of our citizens through job and wealth. We therefore, intend to take full advantage of this relatively new technology called Nanotechnology, “ he said.

    He urged the committee to attach high degree of importance to the national assignment in order to achieve the aim.

    The minister said the ministry would be ready to receive a workable report at the end of the assignment that would dictate the pace of national development in Nano-Science and Nano-Engineering.

    Responding, the Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology Development, Mr Oyefeso Akinyemi, the Director, Chemical Technology Department in the ministry said the committee would try its best to accomplished its mandate on scheduled.

    He said the committee would play a leading role in putting Nigeria on the world map on Nanotechnology.

    He said the committee would collaborate with MDAs to encourage Research and Development in Nanotechnology in tertiary institutions and research institutes.

     

  • ICT sector has huge potential to accelerate Nigeria’s development -Shittu

    Mr Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communications says the country needs to leverage on the huge potential it has with Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) for the country’s development.

    Shittu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news briefing on the proposed Nigerian Communications and Technology Summit scheduled to hold in London from April 27 to April 28.

    The summit will be organised by the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS) in partnership with Ministry of Communications.

    “The Nigerian Information and Communication Technology Initiative is not a silver bullet or a magic wand from government designed to make or revive our economy with one shot.

    “Rather, it is a conscious effort by government working with the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit, private sector and all other stakeholders to forge a public private partnership.

    “To develop scalable, replicable, interoperable and measurable solutions that will make our ICT more sustainable and smarter.

    “It starts by doing simple things – one step at a time. That is why we are willing to work and partner with everybody in the IT space toward this summit.

    “The aim of the summit is therefore to galvanise Nigerian businessmen and women in the Diaspora and their counterparts in UK Business environment along with international investors to establish new businesses in Nigeria.

    “This is expected to be done either as individuals, organisations, or by creating partnerships as well as ensuring sustainable employment opportunities in Nigeria.

    “The summit is also an opportunity to identify potential sources of finance, technology and technical skills that can boost the promotion and stimulation of enterprise and the creation of jobs in Nigeria,’’ the minister said.

    Shittu said the summit was aimed at mobilising the very resourceful, but silent business class of the Nigerian Diaspora keen on contributing to the development of Nigeria.

    “But have not been able to do so because of the lack of regulated opportunities, a properly structured approach and necessary information.

    The minister said that a summit of this magnitude could not be organised by the government alone but by a collective effort of all stakeholders.

    “That is why in constituting the Working Committee or Local Organising Committee of the Summit, care and effort was taken to include relevant MDAs.

    “Bilateral organisations and the private sector along with our agencies to work in partnership with the NDDIS Team.

    “The committee will be headed by the Permanent Secretary and the Director, ICT as the Secretary and the ministry will mobilise the participation of its agencies and other MDAs and communication companies at the NDDIS,’’ he said.

    Shittu said that the event was being organised in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in London, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Diaspora and Foreign Affairs.

    Others are the British African Business Alliance, the Centre for African Studies and AFFORD UK and other partners.

    Earlier, Mr Bimbo Folayan, the Executive Director, the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment said “NDDIS is a platform set up by some Nigerians in the Diaspora to attract investment back into Nigeria.’’

    Folayan said that many Nigerians who lived abroad for several years were always planning to come back home to do something and many of them had struggled to connect with Nigeria.

    “The reason for setting up the summit is to support the Nigerians in Diaspora as they try to come back and provide an opportunity to create employment for our people in the country.

    “Many of the Nigerians who had live there have acquired some skills and knowledge and little money and friends in British institutions.

    “We felt we could use the Diaspora as a platform to engage in those companies in Europe to bring something back into Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Folayan said that NDDIS had organised four summits, adding that this summit, the fifth in the series would be dedicated to promoting investment into the telecomm sector and IT in the country.

    “Nigerians in the UK are close to two million, and we have about 300,000 business leaders who want to set something up in Nigeria and we have used this platforms to attract them to Nigeria to set up few businesses,’’ he said.

     

  • Association plans special documentation of 100 ICT companies

    The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) says it is putting in place special documentation of 100 leading ICT companies and personalities in the sector.

    According to the association, the compendium will shape the future of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the country.

    The President of ATCON, Mr Olusola Teniola made this known at a news briefing on the ”Special Report on Telecom and ICT Personalities 2018” on Monday in Lagos.

    Teniola said ATCON would determine the future of ICT and the telecommunications industry in Nigeria by putting in place special documentation of 100 leading ICT companies and personalities in the sector.

    He said that the strategic idea to publish 100 highly respectable personalities was solely conceived to celebrate individuals and corporate organisations that had contributed to innovation and creativity in the industry through their personal and corporate efforts.

    According to him, it is believed that the publication of the book will further encourage and inspire ATCON to continue to intensify its advocacy drive in the Nigerian telecommunications and ICT ecosystem.

    ”It is believed that the publication will further continuous protection of the existing investment with the sole aim of attracting further investment into the sector.

    ”The proposed book is expect to chronicle all that these individuals and corporate organisations have done to grow the industry to where it is today and what they still plan to do in order to speed up the needed future development.

    ”The book will give the incoming generation the opportunity to learn from the veterans in the telecommunications industry; as well as to determine the future of ICT in Nigeria as barriers to creativities and innovation in Nigeria would exhaustively be discussed,” he said.

    Teniola said that the association had taken cognisance of some of the players in the industry that had led innovation and creativity in the sector.

    He said that their respective creativities had continued to attract both local and international attention in terms of investible funds.

    According to him, the book is expected to chronicle the development that has taken place since the liberalisation of the sector.

    ”The book is expected to be distributed through the embassies; universities, federal and state government agencies, public and private libraries, telecommunications and ICT international events, media houses, among others.

    ”We hope this project will attract huge participation because there is no better way to celebrate than to put in a book format what they have done to grow the entire telecom and ICT ecosystem.

    ”We have noted that those who fought for the pre-liberalisation of this sector; no book was written in their honour, and in order not to make the same mistake, ATCON has taken it upon itself to catalogue those who are leading innovation in the industry,” he said.

    The ATCON president said that a committee had been set up to publish the book and it was expected to be unveiled by the end of May 2018.

    He said that the book was in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of ATCON.

     

  • Communications ministry to partner computer manufacturers on system repairs

    The Ministry of Communications in collaboration with Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) is proposing to establish System Repairs and Service Centre to repair locally made computers in the ministry.

    The centre will later be set up in other Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

    A statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Mrs Pauline Sule, made this known on Monday in Abuja.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Abdullahi Mashi disclosed this when he received Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) in his office recently.

    Mashi said the ministry was discussing with CCMON on the initiative to set up a Service and Repair Centre (SRC) for locally made computers for the ministry.

    He said that the synergy was necessary following the Executive Order No 003 issued by the Federal Government for Ministry Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronise products and services of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs).

    He said that the synergy was also one of the resolutions adopted at the just concluded National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT) in November, 2017 in Katsina.

    “The council adopted the policy of optimising ICT local content and empowering local business in the ICT Sector and also approved the establishment of computer After-Sale Services centres in MDAs and After-Sale Support provision for staff in service level agreements.

    He said the ministry was deploying ICT to drive the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), an enabler of economic recovery and growth.

    Mashi said that there were potential benefits of this service and repair centre initiative which would create more wealth, build capacity among staff.

    He said that the centre would also provide tools and equipment necessary to access and use ICT for self improvement and service productivity by developing and leveraging a smart globally competitive workforce and digitally literate population.

    Mashi commended the initiative of the manufacturers, adding that it would help in building local capacity in the service, resolve problems of unemployment and capacity building for the youths.

    Earlier the leader of the delegation, Mr Bode Pedro thanked the perm sec for granting them audience, stressing that the collaboration would quicken progress on the principles behind the Executive Order by the Federal Government on local content.

    He said that the partnership would also have fit for purpose workforce in the service as well as training and certifying personnel of the ministry on ICT.

    Pedro said that CCMON had the capacity to equip the service and repair centre in the ministry and other MDAs.

    He said CCMON was ready to provide tools and equipment necessary to access and use ICT for self improvement and service productivity.

     

  • U.S. ICT university to boost ICT in Adamawa

    Prof. Victor Mbarika, the President, Board of Trustees, ICT University American Foundation has expressed determination of the university to boost ICT in Adamawa.

    Mbarika made the pledge on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa in Yola.

    He said that the ICT network would include e-book library for the state university, e-learning centres in tertiary institutions, e-taxation and e-payment, among others.

    The president said that e-learning centres would provide opportunities for students to access their courses online.

    He said that the e-library would attract American publishers to download their works by at least providing 1,000 books online.

    Mbarika said that the areas of interest by the ICT University would cover the Adamawa State University, Mubi, Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments.

    He said that Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adamawa State Board of Internal Revenue and Bureau for Public Procurement were among areas of interest.

    He said that the partnership would equally create a window for an exchange programme between the students of the university and Adamawa.

    He commended Bindow for his giant stride in the development of road infrastructure.

    “Your roads are among the cleanest I have ever seen,’’ he said.

    Responding, Bindow said that the giant stride development would not only stop on road infrastructure but in other areas of development.

    He said that the administration had declared state of emergency in education and health.

    He said that the administration had rehabilitated 263 schools destroyed by insurgency.

    The governor said that the administration had commenced the repositioning of the state university to compete with world class universities.

    Bindow said that the administration had also sought the enactments for the establishment of State and Local Independent Audit Office which would operate independently devoid of any interference.

    According to him, all these are the demonstration of our commitment to prudence and accountability in governance.

    He commended the ICT University, U.S., for choosing Adamawa for its pilot programme.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the ICT University American Foundation, was founded in 1880 by the American government.

    The university’s cardinal objective is to be a premier destination for research, innovation and training of scholars in relevant contents for developing economies.

     

  • UNN signs MoU with Huawei to establish ICT academy

    The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HUAWEI, a Chinese ICT company to establish an ICT Academy.

    In his remarks during the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, who signed on behalf of the institution, said the Huawei Academy Programme would benefit both staff and students of the university.

    “ICT is the backbone of technology and innovations in every part of the world. Both UNN with Huawei will benefit from the MoU as the University has 45, 000 students population and about 15,000 are post-graduate students who have the zeal for research and innovation.

    “I assure Huawei that UNN will live up to its expectations on the MoU,” he said.

    Ozumba commended the ICT giant for finding the UNN worthy to establish the academy and pledged the support of staff and students of the university.

    “Whatever Huawei will invest in UNN, it will reap many benefits from it.

    “Lecturers in the university will benefit from the academy, as they will be using the resources from the academy, which ordinarily we cannot provide, to teach their students.

    “UNN does not have simulators but the university will be using simulators because of Huawei academy in UNN,” he said.

    The Channel Service Project Manager, Mr Simon Zhang who signed on behalf of Hauwei, said UNN was the first university in Nigeria that Huawei academy has been established and promised that the company would do its best to ensure more staff and students embrace ICT.

    “We are establishing our first Huawei academy in UNN and from here we will reach other universities in Nigeria.

    “I thank the VC and the university management for their approval for the establishment of the academy in UNN,” he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Yemi Joseph, the Senior Solutions Architect Enterprise Marketing & Sales Manager, said the academy was the first ICT established in any federal university, adding that very soon, Huawei would establish an innovative center in UNN.

    “We can create a technology that will discover talents and make people to think innovatively.

    “Huawei Academy programme will help students to kick-start their career by preparing them to work in the ICT industry.

    “The academy will also help them to build their knowledge and confidence, develop their ICT skills and encourage them to gain global recognition and get Huawei certificate,” he said.

     

  • Data service: NITDA, local data hosting firms to set appropriate standards

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said it is working with local data hosting firms to set appropriate service level requirements and standards for data service provisioning.

    Dr Isa Pantami, Director-General of the agency said this on Monday, while calling on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as private organizations to patronize Nigerian Data Centres across the country to develop the economy.

    The Director-General said patronising such centres would reduce capital flight, and will also serve to create jobs and guarantee reduction in cost of Information Technology products.

    “NITDA would like to bring to the attention of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as private organisations to the need for them to patronise Nigerian Data Centres.

    “The progress made in the adoption and utilisation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in both the public and private sectors of the economy makes hosting data and information inevitable.

    “However, it is disheartening to note that the current practices by public and private organisations hosting data offshore, despite having highly reliable Tier III Data Centres,” he said.

    The Director-General said the centres had been certified by various international organizations and guaranteeing almost 100 per cent availability as well as multiple layers of security.

    “Hosting data locally guarantees reduction in cost and capital flight, digital job creation, increased security, and increase in tax revenues thereby boosting the local economy,” he said.

    He recalled that the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT mandated organisations to host data locally.

    He said the agency was putting measures in place to facilitate and ensure that MDAs And private sector fully comply with the guidelines.

    “Data and Information Management firms should host government data locally within the country and shall not for any reason, host any government data outside the country without an express approval from NITDA,” Pantami said.

    He also said the agency had restructured the office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), under the agency to develop, promote and monitor indigenous ICT adoption.

     

  • Finally: Microsoft Nigeria gets new GM, Akin Banuso

    After operating in the country since 2016 without a General Manager (GM), Microsoft has ended its search and finally announced Akin Banuso as new GM for Nigeria.

    Akin Banuso, who is replacing Kabelo Makwane who left the Company late 2016, is coming on board with a good portfolio, after holding various senior positions within the Information and Communication Technology Industry over the past 20 years.

    He is joining Microsoft from Dell EMC where he spent the last 12 years in various positions including Storage Practice Manager for Dell Services UK, Global Solutions Architect, EMEA Cloud and Converged Solutions Business Manager, Country Manager for Dell Nigeria and Country Leader for Ghana.

    Finally: Microsoft Nigeria appoints Akin Banuso new GM
    Newly appointed Microsoft Nigeria GM, Mr. Akin Banuso

    Banuso, who has also held positions at Siebel (Oracle), HP and Accenture, prior to Dell EMC, he held various leadership roles with customer organizations such as Banque Paribas, Shell and Friends Provident in the UK.

    “I am very excited to lead the Microsoft business in Nigeria. Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and I see so much potential in Nigeria,” the newly appointed Microsoft boss said.

    As the General Manager of Microsoft in Nigeria, Banuso hopes, among many things, to address the challenge of local innovation.

    “While most technology trends, innovations and consumer products come from the West and the East, Africans are realising that for us to solve the continent’s technology-related challenges, we have to find African solutions,” he said.

    As a seasoned technology professional and thought leader within the technology ecosystem, Banuso will lead the company’s digital transformation drive in one of the most dynamic, innovative and largest economies on the continent.

    “Since 2000, Microsoft has been partnering in Nigeria’s efforts to empower citizens through the development of Nigeria’s local software and information technology services industry. I am delighted to be at the forefront of this effort.

    “Having collaborated with Microsoft over the last few years, I have first-hand knowledge of the talent within the team, and I’m really looking forward to working with them to bring the vision to life,” said Banuso.

    Nigeria has shown continued expansion, including diversification within the oil sector and considerable infrastructure investment in the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Industry vertical.

    Microsoft firmly embraces this tremendous economic and social progress with Banuso at the helm of affairs. With his appointment effective June 2017, he would be responsible for driving the overall country business performance (people, revenue, and profitability) including the short-term and long-term performance of all customer segments at Microsoft Nigeria.

     

  • Lagos inaugurates Herbert Macaulay e-Library

    Lagos inaugurates Herbert Macaulay e-Library

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday inaugurated Herbert Macaulay e-Library in Yaba, Lagos.

    Ambode expressed the hoped that the e-library would increase access to all materials that would boost literacy, reading culture and ICT compliance in the state.

    The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, urged the people to put the e-library to good use and maintain it.

    The library was formally known as the Federal Ministry of Education School Library, Yaba. It was upgraded by the state government in partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

    The library has a reading session tagged: Herbert Macaulay Collections, Code Lagos Centre, art gallery, one of the oldest bibles, among others.

    ”We are returning this library to the public today. It is for the use of scholars, academics, non-academics, all and sundry.”

    Mr Segun Agbaje, managing director, GTBank appreciated the state government for initiating the partnership with the bank.

    ”The library, which is one of the oldest in the country, was renamed Herbert Macaulay Library by Alhaji Lateef Jakande in honour of the great nationalist for his good leadership in Nigeria.

    ”With this e-library, we hope it will mould great and future nationalists who will be change agents in the society,”Agbaje said.