‘All is set for DigitalSENSE forum on IG4D’

 The organizers of the annual Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa has declared that all is now set for the fourth edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D).

The Executive Director, Operations at DigitalSENSE Africa, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke gave this assurance in Lagos at the weekend, asserting that “we are set for this year’s Nigeria DigitalSENSE forum on Internet Governance for Development.”

She also said that this year’s edition scheduled to hold at the Golden Gate Paradise, March 8-9 in Lagos, would be presided over by Internet guru and immediate president of the Nigeria internet Group (NIG) Mr. Lanre Ajayi.

Mrs. Nweke noted that currently Mr. Ajayi is serving as a council member of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)’s Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO).

She further pointed out that apart the fact that the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, Director of Information Security and New Media at NCC, Dr. Sylvanus Ehikioya, president of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mrs. Mary Uduma, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, youthful Social activist, Japheth Omojuwa and chief executive of Nigeria internet Exchange, Mr. Muhammed Rudman.

Additionally, the vice president of Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Mr. Sunday Folayan, she said, would preside over the interactive session, as well as presidents of all the industry-groups within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector including the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), mother of Internet evolution in the country, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote among others.

Mrs. Nweke said that the Country manager of the Software giant, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Onyeje has confirmed as one of the key speakers at the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D), due to hold this Thursday and Friday in Lagos.

This is coming as the Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), Mr. Gbenga Sesan, has also affirmed his participation as he gears up to take participants on the subtheme: ‘Youth Advantage of Mobile Economy in Nigeria.”

Onyeje, she said, would lead a team of experts from Microsoft to discuss mobility solutions and is expected to make a presentation with detailed highlights on some mobile service offers on Microsoft platform.

She said that Nigeria DigitalSENSE forum on Internet Governance for Development is a veritable platform for Nigerians to know more about mobile offering from Microsoft, especially for mobile money services.

(Excerpts from ITRealmsOnline)

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Draft ICT policy: DSA boss applauds CommTech, seeks extension of deadline

The Executive Director, Operations at the DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA), Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke has commended the Minister of Communications Technology (CommTech) for living up to her promise to seek stakeholders comments on the draft national policy on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

Speaking at the weekend, she said that this approach is the first of its kind by the Ministry since its creation and should be commended, urging the Minister to extend the comment period by one week due to the period lost to the fuel subsidy removal protest in the country.

As said by her, already several stakeholders’ organizations are warming up to ensure inputs from their various end to ensure their comments are included, but with the extension of the deadline, would really boost the quality of inputs.

“Fulfilling this promise by the minister means there is hope for the sector and Nigerians generally,” she said.

Mrs. Nweke also urged stakeholders to concentrate on topics capable of moving the ICT sector forward rather than individualism, noting that every input made at this time would aid the ministry led by Mrs. Johnson to reposition, especially as the stakeholders work towards actualizing the converged ICT regulation for the sector at large.

She also said that with the calling off the strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, that lots of issues are waiting professionals in the industry, whose holidays period have been extended immediately after the Christmas and New Year with the strike declared by Labour in response to the Federal Government’s hike of pump prices from N65 to N140.

The DSA boss explained that with the suspension of strike, stakeholders definitely would need an extended little time to contribute meaningfully to the draft national ICT policy, which current deadline is next week Monday.

She noted that CommTech Minister may be working on schedule, but maintained on the need to at least extend the comment period by one week, especially given that people’s access to the document could be limited during the strike that last for one week.

She recalled that Ministry of Communications Technology, has last week Monday unveiled the draft National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) policy document on its website for comments by stakeholders in the country.

The draft policy was uploaded Monday morning in fulfillment of pledge by CommTech Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson on the Ministry’s website at http://commtech.gov.ng and the Ministry’s Blog at http://blog.commtech.gov.ng. 

Noteworthy is that the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Mrs. Efem Nkanga had said that the 55-page policy document is the harmonization of the disparate policies governing the ICT industry.

(Excerpts from ITRealmsOnline)

... Making sense out of digital revolution!

DSA forum on IG4D gets March date

The 2012 edition of the Nigerian DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) Forum series on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) has been slated to hold in March between 8 and 9 at its usual venue, Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos.

The Executive Director, Operations at DigitalSENSE Africa, the organizers of the forum, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke said that the March date was taken after adequate consideration on other industry events billed for this year.

She also said at the weekend that already, stakeholders have started taking space of participation in the two-day forum, which prepares Nigerians and stakeholders alike on the importance of participating on the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

According to her, the previous three years have seen the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum series recording resounding success each year and serving as a roundtable for discussion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) issues with particular reference to Internet Governance (IG).

She said that this year’s forum theme would be on ‘Internet Governance and Mobile Economy in Nigeria.’ 

Highlighting the importance of the theme, Mrs. Nweke said that with the licensing of some companies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate mobile money, it has become crucial to explore this in line with laws of the land and relevant regulations in comparison with the global best practices.

She further said that the fact that these licensees tend to drive their services to Nigerians based on mobile networks already existing makes it imperative to create more awareness on the subject and how it would affect Nigerians and Internet community in the country.

Mrs. Nweke confirmed that the two-day event would hold at the prestigious Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos with several speakers already filing in for the event both offshore and within the country.\

She, therefore, enjoined notable Internet Service Providers (ISP), Value Added Service (VAS) providers, network vendors, telecom operators and mobile money operatives and consumer groups to take active part in the forum.

(Excerpts from ITRealmsOnline)

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Ajayi to preside over NDSF forum on Internet governance

The recently elected council member of the Generic Name Supporting Organisation (GNSO) at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Mr. Lanre Ajayi is to preside over the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) slated to hold in Lagos, next month.  

The Executive Director, Operations at the DigitalSENSE Africa, the organizers of the annual internet stakeholders meet, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke said that its gladdening to note that Mr. Lanre Ajayi would be  chairing this year’s event, scheduled to hold at the Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos between March, Thursday 8 and Friday 9, 2012, with the theme: Internet Governance and Mobile Economy in Nigeria.

According to her, Mr. Ajayi who was the immediate past president of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) has proved his love for Internet penetration and positive adaptation in the country since inception of NIG and particularly the forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) being organized by DSA.

She said that Mr. Ajayi in his capacity as the chairman of the 2012 NDSA forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D), would be sharing some insights based on his experiences as an active player in the development of Internet and its penetration in the country.

Additionally, Mrs. Nweke pointed out that the former vice president of Internet Service Providers Association (ISPAN), would further elucidate discussions on what should be expected of his current office as a council member of the Generic Name Supporting Organisation (GNSO) at ICANN.

As said by her, Mr. Ajayi has over time proven he is an encyclopedia of Internet evolution in the country, of which most Nigerians and the Internet community in the country have lot to learn from, especially the youths.

She, therefore urged Nigerians to keep a date with this Internet guru as the nation charts a new course for the Nigeria’s internet development in line with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) objectives, which this year, she noted will be in Azerbaijan, South Caucasus in September 2012.

She emphasised that the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) remains the only annual event which acts as a rallying point for Nigerian internet stakeholders in raising and addressing salient issues concerning the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector with particular reference to the Internet Governance-related issues and development in Nigeria.

The forum, she said, offers stakeholders the needed platform to take a stand and speak out on Internet Governance and accurately align Nigeria’s position into the global Internet Governance Forum and enjoined players in the mobile sector of the economy to take advantage of this year’s theme.

Further, Mrs. Nweke recalled that Mr. Ajayi, has been a director at ISPAN and holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Lagos.

In his acceptance to preside over the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D).

Ajayi, she said, had worked for the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NiTEL) for 11 years before delving into private practice by the establishment of PiNet Informatics, reputed as one of the nation’s first Internet Service Providers (ISP).

A co-founder of the Nigeria Internet Group, a non-profit organization committed to the promotion of the Internet in the country, Mr. Ajayi has served as the Vice president of ISPAN and vice chairman of African ISP Association (AfrISPA).

Equally, he has served on the council of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), while presiding over the Research and Statistics committee, even as he was ISPAN committee chairman on the implementation of the Nigeria Internet Exchange Point (IXPN) as well as chairman of the Technical Committee on the Nigeria’s Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name, .ng, to name a few.

(Excerpts from ITRealmsOnline)

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ATCON endorses DigitalSENSE forum on Internet Governance

The umbrella organization of telecommunications firms in the country, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has once again drummed support for the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) for 2012 with its endorsement.

This was affirmed by the Executive Secretary, ATCON, Mr. Ajibola Olude at the weekend.

Olude in a letter dated February 2, 2012 stated that he was pleased to convey the approval of the National Executive Council (NEC).

He also outlined some of the support to be given by ATCON to include that DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) has the backing of ATCON on all documents and publications for the conference.

Olude promised that the Nigeria DigitalSENSE forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) for 2012 would be broadcast among ATCON members.

While assuring the organizers that the ATCON president, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, has advanced plans to give a goodwill message at the event, he noted that the association would send its mementos to the event as show of its endorsement.

Reacting to the endorsement, the Executive Director, Operations at DigitalSENSE Africa, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke applauded the leadership of ATCON for its prompt endorsement of the event within a short-time of its proclamation and advised other stakeholders to join forced with DSA as the issue of positive use of the Internet, especially for the sake of Nigerian youth, whom she said are the ones to make or mar cashless economy.

For her, the Nigerian youths could make the cashless economy recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or mar the system, mostly when they refused to be guided properly.

She recalled that youthful online entrepreneur, Mr. Japheth Omojuwa, has advanced plans to speak at the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D).

She also disclosed that Omojuwa, a public analyst of economic issues on television, radio and new media, would be discussing Internet and Social Media as a tool for development, at this year’s annual DSA forum on Internet Governance for Development, to be held in Lagos, between March 8 and 9, 2012 at Golden Gate, Ikoyi-Lagos.

... Making sense out of digital revolution!

Omojuwa tackles social media4D @ NDS forum

Japheth Omojuwa, social media analyst

Nigerian youthful online entrepreneur, Mr. Japheth Omojuwa, is gearing up for the 2012 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D).

The Executive Director, Operations at the DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA), Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke, made this disclosure in Lagos, at the weekend.

She also disclosed that Omojuwa, a public analyst of economic issues on television, radio and new media, would be discussing Internet and Social Media as a tool for development, at this year’s annual DSA forum on Internet Governance for Development, to be held in Lagos, between March 8 and 9, 2012 at Golden Gate, Ikoyi-Lagos.

She noted that with many awards to his name, Omojuwa who is currently adjudged the best Nigerian political blogger; an award won in a poll involving Nigerian bloggers from across the world, would take the youths on the strategies towards taking advantage of social media.

In addition, Omojuwa, she said, was nominated Nigeria’s twitter user of the year while being named the best political user of twitter in Nigeria recently.

Equally, DSA boss noted that Omojuwa has become one of the strongest voices against the unsustainable cost of governance and Nigeria’s increasingly inefficient and ineffective big government.

A director with the United States-based Prometheus Institute, she said Omojuwa is passionate about good governance and socio-economic issues in Africa.

Omojuwa, who is the editor of africanliberty.org, equally blogs at www.omojuwa.com and tweet’s handle @omojuwa, said that these two social media tools have helped to prepare the grounds for the Nigerian Occupy Movement among other revolutionary initiatives.

Some of these strategies, he said, should be unveiled in his presentation at the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum 2012.

ITRealms Online recalls that the 2012 edition of the Nigerian DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) Forum series on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) has been slated to hold in March between 8 and 9 at its usual venue, Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos, according to Mrs. Nweke, who said that the March date was taken after adequate consideration on other industry events billed for this year.

She also said that already, stakeholders have started taking space for participation in the two-day forum, which includes conference and exhibition of internet-related products and services, which promotes development.

Additionally, she noted that the forum prepares Nigerians and stakeholders alike on the importance of participating on the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

... Making sense out of digital revolution!

DSA forum on IG4D gets March date

Nkemdilim Nweke, Executive Director, DigitalSENSE Africa

The 2012 edition of the Nigerian DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) Forum series on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) has been slated to hold in March between 8 and 9 at its usual venue, Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos.

The Executive Director, Operations at DigitalSENSE Africa, the organizers of the forum, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke said that the March date was taken after adequate consideration on other industry events billed for this year.

She also said at the weekend that already, stakeholders have started taking space of participation in the two-day forum, which prepares Nigerians and stakeholders alike on the importance of participating on the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

According to her, the previous three years have seen the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum series recording resounding success each year and serving as a roundtable for discussion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) issues with particular reference to Internet Governance (IG).

She said that this year’s forum theme would be on ‘Internet Governance and Mobile Economy in Nigeria.’

Highlighting the importance of the theme, Mrs. Nweke said that with the licensing of some companies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate mobile money, it has become crucial to explore this in line with laws of the land and relevant regulations in comparison with the global best practices.

She further said that the fact that these licensees tend to drive their services to Nigerians based on mobile networks already existing makes it imperative to create more awareness on the subject and how it would affect Nigerians and Internet community in the country.

Mrs. Nweke confirmed that the two-day event would hold at the prestigious Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi-Lagos with several speakers already filing in for the event both offshore and within the country.

She, therefore, enjoined notable Internet Service Providers (ISP), Value Added Service (VAS) providers, network vendors, telecom operators and mobile money operatives and consumer groups to take active part in the forum.

... Making sense out of digital revolution!