Zimbabwea’s Saisai wins SWELL awards at 2014 DEMO Africa

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Zimbabwean startup Informstion Technology (IT) company Saisai was awarded the SWELL Innovation award at the just concluded DEMO Africa 2014 conference held in Lagos, DigitalSENSE Business News authoritatively reports.

The prize for Saisai is an all-expense paid trip to Silicon Valley, USA as part of the SWELL Innovation Tour, which includes the exclusive participation in SWELL’s intensive soft landing programme in Silicon Valley.

DigitalSENSE Business News checks indicate that at the Microsoft sponsored exhibition, Irofit and VOTO took the first and second runners up positions respectively.

SWELL’s Founder Mike Chen, expressed his excitement to be holding the inaugural SWELL Innovation awards in Africa and partnering with DEMO Africa adding that the SWELL Awards in Africa will represent an important element of the Global Startup Engagement platform to accelerate disruption and invoke corporate participation.

Executive Producer DEMO Africa, Harry Hare, commended participants for showing such great enthusiasm towards finding much needed solutions for Africa, stressing the continent has all it takes to improve its potentials in the IT industry.

“It is inspiring to see that, now, more attention is being accorded the pursuit of solutions to problems that are uniquely African. The continent has one of the most diverse and talented pool of young people and finally, we are seeing a real intent by authorities to utilize the massive power within these brains to bring positive change, especially through technology, “he said.

VC4Africa’s CEO and Founder Ben White explained that the introduction of the new exclusive investor only event as part of the DEMO Africa is the next step in making sure the leading innovators from across the continent are going to get the backing they need to achieve scale.

“We have seen angel networks emerging across the continent and now is the time to bring them together in a shared conversation about how best to move forward,” he said.

Highlights of the event include a Boom Camp and the Ampion Venture bus which graced this year’s event.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Mobile Money transactions hit $600m says Johnson

DigitalSENSE Business  News:

Minister of Communication Technology, Dr Mrs Omobola Johnson has said that the country has witnessed an upsurge in mobile money transactions, insisting that Nigeria could actualise the National Broadband Plan to increase penetration rate from six per cent to 30 per cent by 2018, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The CommTech minister made this disclosure while speaking at the Pat Utomi Center for Values and Leadership celebration of the ICT sector, noted that 11 million transactions worth $600 million have been recorded under the mobile money platform.

According to her, the mobile money platform has an estimated one million subscribers under 18 mobile money operators and 67,000 registered agent.

On broadband penetration in the country, Johnson stressed that facilitating increased investments in ICT infrastructure, spectrum auctions, regional Infrastructure (fibre) companies (Infracos), Smart States initiative (to reduce cost of infrastructure deployment) were some of the priorities set by her ministry to raise 3G/LTE Wireless Broadband Coverage to 80 per cent of Nigeria’s population; and Fixed broadband to 16 per cent of population based on fibre by 2018.

“More people in Nigeria have a mobile phone than have a bank account. 75 per cent of adults living in urban areas and 39 per cent of them living in rural areas have access to a pre-paid mobile phone. 18 Mobile Money operators have been registered in Nigeria and since the commencement of operations, there are approximately 1 million subscribers, about 67,000 registered agents and Over 11 million transactions worth US$600 million have been conducted,” she said.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Be more active in ICT Jonathan urges African heads

DigitalSENSEBusiness News:

President Goodluck Jonathan has stated his administration’s resolve to ensure Nigerians get the full benefits of new information and communication technologies by strictly implementing the National Broadband Strategy and roadmap, National ICT policy, and the Guidelines for Nigerian Content in the ICT industry, DigitalSENSE Business  News reports.

This is even as he called on all African countries to become more active in the digital revolution going on in the world, insisting that due to strong correlation between the efficient deployment of ICTs and socio-economic development, Nigeria and other African countries stand to gain a lot from the effective adoption of the new technologies.

President Jonathan who stated these at an international conference on information and communications technology in Ndjamena, Chad, maintained that improving national commerce, the development of an ICT workforce, the creation of high skilled, high paying jobs, improved international competitiveness and the establishment of stronger, more competitive small and medium businesses are some of the benefits Nigeria and other African countries will gain if they key into the ICT revolution.

“Africa and Africans must be active participants in the digital revolution that is taking place all around the world. We must in fact be at the forefront of that revolution, creating information societies and knowledge based economies.

We need to encourage the development of our local ICT industries, creating companies to drive added domestic economic value, create jobs and support sustainable growth in GDP.

The results of our efforts in this regard include an ICT sector that is 19 per cent of our Services sector which in itself is 54 per cent of total GDP. In addition to this, the ICT sector has an enabling effect on other sectors of the economy contributing a further 2.56 per cent of added value,” he said.

Stressing that information and communication technologies and the internet have become catalysts that can drive socio-economic development, President Jonathan, noted that his administration, in addition to encouraging and facilitating the development of ICTs within Nigeria, was also helping to increase the spread of high capacity broadband networks to support the harmonious and integrated development of regional economies in Africa.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Nigeria, Chad to sign MoU to deepen ICT penetration

DigitalSENSEBusiness News:

There are indications that Nigeria will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with Chad in a bid to deepen ICT penetration, strengthen and expand potentials of ICT in both countries, DigitalSENSE Business News authoritatively reports.

This is coming as the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, Dr. Hamadou Toure, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his vision and leadership which has kept Nigerian in the forefront of ICT development in Africa and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan for being ITU’s ambassador and patron of the international agency’s child online protection.

Dr. Toure who made these known at an international conference on Information Communication and Technology, recently in Chad, disclosed that Nigeria has remained at the top of the group of countries with the highest ICT development in Africa.

“For five years running, Nigeria remains the number one country in ICT development in the continent.

To have won it five times in a row means you must have done something right. This is due to the leadership and the vision that you have in your country, and I would like to thank you on behalf of the ITU.

In the past few years she has been the patron of our child online protection initiative, protecting children in the cyber space, which is the greatest challenge we face as we enter the cyber world", he said.

Giving insight to the deal by both countries, President Jonathan pointed out that

“With over 10 terabytes of undersea cable landing on our shores we are, through the bi-lateral Nigeria /Niger Joint Commission extending that capacity to Niger and we are in the process of entering into an MoU with the Chadian Government to interconnect the optic fibre networks of Chad and Nigeria.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

NATCOMS rejects N65 ATM service charge

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers, (NATCOMS) has rejected the N65 per transaction charge on the fourth withdrawal of another bank using ATM saying the CBN governor was insensitive to the plight of consumers, and not in the interest of consumers of banking services across the country DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

In a statement made available toDigitalSENSE Business News, the association lambasted the CBN governor saying that his action ‘to say the least is not consumer-centric’ and not in tandem with international best practices (IBP).  

The statement which was signed by the association’s president Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo observed that the directive does not portray him as a CBN Governor that will care for Consumers of banking services in Nigeria insisting that the welcome gift the new Central Bank Governor should be thinking of giving consumers of banking services in Nigeria is bank account portability as it is currently done in other developed economies.

“This ATM charge regime is not in line with international best practices (IBP) and is definitely not in the interest of consumers of banking services in Nigeria. The N65 ATM withdrawal charge is punitive, excessive profit-driven, exploitative and totally unacceptable as well as being a terrible welcome gift from the new Central Bank Governor to consumers of banking services in Nigeria. He should take a cue from his colleague in the Nigerian Communication Commission – Dr. Eugene Juwah who introduced mobile number portability in Nigeria’s Telecoms sector in line with international best practices”, he said.

Chukwudi Obi  

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

"African Telecoms sector worth $65b By 2018" – Analysis Mason

DigitalSENSEBusiness News:

The telecommunications market in the Sub-Saharan African region is set to be one of the main growth success stories for the telecoms sector in the next five years with an estimated $65 billion worth over the next five years, DigitalSENSE Business News authoritatively reports.

According to a new report titled: ‘Sub-Saharan Africa telecoms market: trends and forecasts 2013–2018’ from telecoms specialist, Analysis Mason, the telecommunications market in African will record an explosive growth in the next five years.

In the report, the telecoms market in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is transitioning, as growing revenue from mobile data services is becoming proportionate to mobile voice growth while increased 3G coverage and capacity, and the widespread introduction of low-cost smartphones will help support the take-up of mobile data services.

A related key driver is the increasing take-up of adjacent digital economy offerings – notably, mobile financial services.

According to Analysis Mason’s regional analyst Mpho Moyo, “SSA’s telecoms market is growing faster than that of any other region, and will increase its share of worldwide telecoms revenue over the next five years, although this will still remain small compared with other regions.”

The SSA market, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered, accounted for only 2.9 per cent of worldwide telecoms revenue in 2013, increasing to 3.6 per cent by 2018 while mobile voice and handset data revenue will together deliver 90 per cent of the total telecoms revenue growth in the region in the next five years.

DigitalSENSE Business News checks indicate that telecoms revenue in SSA will continue to be heavily dominated by mobile services, which accounted for 86.5 per cent of telecoms revenue in 2013 and will contribute an even higher 89.4 per cent in 2018.

According to the report, mobile voice will continue to be the largest component of the telecoms market through 2018, as new subscribers, new market entrants and Mobile Termination Rate (MTR) reductions drive price competition and increased traffic.

However, the report speculates that mobile data revenue will grow faster than mobile voice revenue.

Mobile handset data’s share of total telecoms revenue will almost double by 2018, reflecting the role of mobile devices as the main Internet access point for most users in Africa.

According to the analysis, “Telecoms service revenue in the SSA market will leap at a six per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during 2013–2018 (mobile at 6.7per cent and fixed at 1.0per cent), soaring from $49 billion in 2013 to more than USD65 billion in 2018”.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Nigeria can eradicate Ebola by September if... – NCDC

DigitalSENSEBusiness News :

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that Nigeria could eradicate the deadly Ebola epidemic from the country by September 2014, if it sustains its current efforts at tackling the disease, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

The Project director NCDC, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, who stated his during his presentation at a workshop organised by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) on Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment for Hemorrhagic and Zoonotic Viral Diseases, recently in Abuja, commended President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, for the support given to health workers to confront the virus.

“Let me say here that if the current efforts at tackling the disease are sustained, we should be able to defeat Ebola on or before September 6, 2014. But, that is not say the threat of reappearance will no longer be there.

“The president should be commended because he came back from a trip when the virus landed in the nation and swiftly went into action by championing the cause of containing the disease, and made funds available to that effect. The minister and governor are excellent people; their performance was excellent because they acted swiftly and decisively to bring the situation under control,” he said.

He further condemned the call by some embassies for intending travellers to present an Ebola-free certificate, describing it as unnecessary.

According to him, “You only need to screen (the blood of) those who have come in contact with an infected person, not everybody. Asking everybody to screen their blood for Ebola is out of WHO’s recommendation.”

The federal government, he noted, was already taking it up with embassies that now put this as one of the requirements for visa processing.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

‘Only 5% of Nigerians have access to power’

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Only five per cent of 170 million Nigeria have access to electricity DigitalSENSEBusiness news authoritatively reports.

This is coming as the country needs an annual investment of $4 billion (about N647, 799,988,000) over a ten year period.

The Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Ramesh Naravanan who stated this at the business luncheon for chief executives organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Apapa Branch in Lagos, said the investment which will cover generation, distribution and transmission would use up about 70 per cent investment into plant machinery while the other 30 per cent will be into construction.

According to Naravanan, only five per cent of Nigeria’s 170 million people have access to electricity available to the 11 discos while the rest of the population are still battling with energy needs.

Naravanan who said that the investment will open up opportunities in the nation’s manufacturing sector further called on the federal government to organise capacity building programmes to train and equip Nigerians with the necessary skills to reap the benefits of the investment.

The MD said the investment would also generate new direct and indirect job opportunities in the country, urging private and public academia to rise up to the challenge to train more engineers to fill up the job opportunities the investment will offer.

Chukwudi obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

We’re doing all we can to battle B’Haram- Jonathan

 Trade and investment: 

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the Boko Haram insurgent sect is more than a domestic terrorist group that poses a threat to regional peace and security insisting that his administration is leaving no stone unturned to stop the violent sect, DigitalSENSE Business news reports. .

The president, who reiterated his administration’s effort to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness in Nigeria, said these at the US-African Leaders Summit in Washington DC amidst concerns over the growing incidents of piracy in the Horn of Africa and the gulf of Guinea.

“Nigeria is doing everything possible o combat Boko Haram and violent extremism. While we continue to enhance our intelligence and military capacities, we are at the same time, working on political solutions by engaging state governments and local communities. We are seeking economic solutions through various economic empowerment and job creation programmes. We are creating economic opportunities and addressing the root causes of youth restiveness.

“We are also building partnerships, both at the regional and international levels, to combat teh threat posed b terrorism in our sub-region. In this enterprise, we are pleased to acknowledge the supportive role of the United States.

“We are optimistic that continuing international support will help us rid our continent of te growing incident of terrorism.  We call for an effective international sanctions regime that would hold accountable any country, institutions and individual that financed terrorism in any part of the world”, he said.

In his words, piracy in the horn of Africa and the horn of Africa is undermining regional peace and the fragile security of African countries adding that the United States government resolve to enhance is partnership with Africa was reassuring.

“Across the region, piracy is dovetailing into other forms of organised crimes, including oil theft, hostage-taking, human and drug trafficking and proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Regional efforts to forge initiatives to counter these dangers have so far proved ineffective largely because these countries lack adequate and appropriate maritime surveillance and enforcement capabilities.

 “It is reassuring to have the US government pledge to enhance its partnership with Africa and o work with governments across the continent to address shared priorities. A large part of the task ahead would be t o expand economic opportunities and enlarge political space in our countries on the principles of popular participation, rule of law and respect of human rights”, he said.

Chukwudi Obi 

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Women ICT summit set for Abuja, UK, USA

Gender ICT:

Barring any last minute hitches, all is now set for the 2014 edition of the Women’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Summit tagged “Women and National Security: Utilizing ICT for Community Policing and Self Actualisation", DigitalSENSE Gender ICT reports. 

President, HighTech Centre, Dr. Mrs. Wunmi Hassan, the organisers of the summit, disclosed to DigitalSENSE Gender ICT in Abuja recently that the summit will expose women to security challenges in Nigeria and the need to actualize their potentials using ICT tools for development, while taking cognizance of their corporate roles in community policing for a safe society and family protection.

In a public statement made available to DigitalSENSE Gender ICT in Abuja recently, she said, commencing from September 2 through 4, the Nigeria summit would hold in Abuja, while on September 20, her team will be heading to the United Kingdom as well as that of United States slated to kick off on November 14, this year.

She pointed out that some of the sub-themes of the Summit would include Nigeria’s security challenges: Issues and Options for women and families; Promoting involvement of women in community policing and ICT Applications to address national security and community policing techniques. Other sub-themes according to the statement are role of Media in Managing Security Challenges, ICT for wealth creation and women’s entrepreneurial development and workshops – Mobile apps, social media (facebook, gmail account, blogs and website design)

The three-legged Summit, she further said, is open for female policy makers, parliamentarians, public sector personnel, non-governmental Organisation (NGOs), business women, civil societies, women in the academia and women from 18 years and above.

The organisers of the Summit say the event will provide a platform to formally sensitize Nigeria women on the issues, challenges and concerns about security in the country, open the mind of women to ICT tools available for domestic and community policing purposes; encourage women to get involved in community policing for the security of their families and society and expose the participants to ICT options for making a living in a knowledge economy for sustainable development.

Some of the features of the Nigerian leg of the Summit include panel discussions, hands-on training and exposure to mobile ICT and security Apps development, models for safety and community policing strategies and group or syndicate projects. Other features of the Summit are ICT Campaign / Walk for Life and High Tech Annual Awards 2014 for women entrepreneurs and innovators in Nigeria and ICT Industry.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Ebola postpones West Africa Internet Governance Forum’14

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The Gambia’s ministry of information and communication infrastructure has postponed the West African Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF), which was scheduled to hold between 6^th and 8^th of August in Banjul, The Gambia indefinitely, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

A statement signed by a representative of the permanent secretary in the ministry, Amodou Nyang, and made available to DigitalSENSE Business News, notes that the ebola outbreak in the West African Sub region prompted the postponement of the WIGF.

“After due and relevant consultations with government authorities and stakeholders, the Ministry of information and Communication lnfrastructure came up with the conclusion  that West African lnternet Governance Forum (WAIGF) slated from the 6th - 8th August in Banjul, The Gambia be postponed  till further notice.

This was prompted due to recent Ebola cases across the sub region which now has an impact on flight availability.

“We apologies for any inconvenience caused”, the official stated.

Chukwudi Obi/ GEE

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

60m Nigerians spend 1.8bn on sports betting daily

DigitalSENSE Business News:

No fewer than 60 million Nigerians spend 1.8 billion naira ($11, 042944 US dollars) on sports betting DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

A study carried by Nigerian News Agency (NNA), estimated that presently about 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 40 are spending 1.8 billion naira (£ 670,000) daily on sports betting.

This is as Lagos state government has said that it will do more to create enabling environment for the lottery industry.

According to the study an average Nigerian bettor wagers 300 Naira (£1.10) daily.

DigitalSENSE Business News checks reveal that sportsbetting has grown in popularity among Nigerian youths and young adults, with international football being the nation’s most popular sports betting market.

Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila who disclosed this in Lagos recently, urged federal government to put more policy frameworks in place to open up the lottery industry for more operators to come in.

“The state government has been making efforts to provide an enabling environment for the lottery industry but only 40 per cent of the industry had been tapped into. We urge the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for operators in the industry to increase revenue and create jobs for youths. The major needs of the operators are improved electricity and internet provision to boost the business,” he said.

DigitalSENSE Business News authoritatively reports that sports betting operators are accessed through internet cafes throughout Nigeria while payments are made using digital micro payment providers who allow Naira currency to be processed and mobile phones

In the NNA study, many younger individuals denied themselves food in order to wager on sports betting markets.

Read more:

Chukwudi Obi /GEE
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

ITREALMS: Mobile App on Ebola debuts

ITREALMS: Mobile App on Ebola debuts: ITRealms :

A new mobile application known as Ebola nationwide report centre has made a debut, ITRealms reveals. The proponent o...

ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

Lawmaker empowers 450 on ICT, Fashion

DigitalSENSE Business News

No fewer than 450 residents of Ifako-Ijaiye in Ifako/Ijaiye constituency have been admitted into the free information and communications technology and fashion design training institutes established by Dayo Saka Fafunmi, the representative of Ifako/Ijaiye Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

The beneficiaries, it was learnt will replace another batch of nearly 500 who are rounding off their training period at the separate institutes located at the lawmaker's constituency office at Oyemekun Bus Stop, Ifako/Ijaiye.

Speaking at the matriculation ceremony of the students, Fafunmi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, said about 1 500 beneficiaries had graduated since 2009 when he started the programmes adding that the encouragement to carry on with the programme comes from the success rate of the beneficiaries in their various disciplines and the need to reduce unemployment in his constituency.

"You should be a master of your own heart. The ICT training is one of those programmes that would help you in life. Education is an equalizer; it would place the rich and the poor at par. Without education, most of us would not be where we are today. You must ask questions until you understand what you are being taught. The programme is for three months, but the last set spent five months because I do not want to graduate half baked graduates."

Some of the graduating students, who spoke at the ceremony, thanked Fafunmi for the gesture, while the President of the Muslim Community in Ifako/Ijaiye, Alhaji Adbudltolib Orire Oyedeji, noted that Fafunmi was following the path laid out by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo adding that the lawmaker has also upon ensured free transportation for school children.

Chukwudi Obi
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

ICT Ministry Appoints Advisory Board

DigitalSENSE Business News

Minister of Communications Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, has inaugurated the Advisory Board of the Office of National Content (ONC) in Lagos, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

Speaking at the inauguration, the minister pointed out that in developing local content guidelines in the ICT sector, the Ministry engaged with many of the key stakeholders represented in the ONC Advisory Board.

According to the minister, compliance and enforcement are also critical as they are essential for an appropriate governance and compliance framework to be instituted for this purpose.

“The desks will have responsibility for leading and executing the specific provisions set out in this implementation framework, with each one focused on one of the following areas- services, software, human capital and hardware”, she said.

Johnson emphasized that the Advisory Board has been chosen to support the ONC and its implementation programme by providing strategic advice to the ONC on approaches and directions in achieving its long-term objectives.

She said the Federal Government placed a lot of importance on developing Nigeria's local content in the ICT industry adding that Nigeria was categorized as an emerging economy and is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with an estimated year-to-year Gross Domestic Product (GDP) percentage change of 5.1 per cent for the period 2012 -2017.

She added that despite the global decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Nigeria retained some impressive figures with $7, 02 billion (or 41.7 per cent) out of the $16,8 billion FDI inflows to West Africa in 2012.

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

World Bank pledges to support Nigeria’s power sector

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Following the successful privatisation of the power sector, the World Bank has pledged to support the development of Nigeria’s power sector DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

The promise, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria recently, was contained in a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Press, Ministry of Power, Mrs. Patricia Deworitshe, in Abuja.

The statement which quoted the outgoing Country Director, World Bank, Mr. Erik Fernstrom, as making the pledge at a send-off dinner organised for him on Sunday in Abuja added that Fernstrom commended the Federal Government for its courage in privatising the power sector, noting that the success of the exercise had put an end to the doubts of many.

Fernstrom further enjoined Nigerians to be patient for the full manifestation of the dividends of the exercise, saying it would take a while before this would be realised.

The Leader of the Energy Working Group and Country Representative, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Kormawa, commended Fernstrom’s contributions to the development of the sector, praising Nigeria for keeping faith with the privatisation process.
 In Kormawa’s words, “This ambitious programme, as it is called, has proven to the world that Nigeria is serious and I wish that more sectors can be like the power sector in terms of magnitude.”

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

FG to spend 1.5bn on Digital Key Signature

DigitalSENSE Business News

Federal Government will spend a whopping N1, 594,000,000 (one billion, five hundred and ninety four million naira) for the establishment of Public Key Infrastructure for Digital Signature Encryption (PKIDSE) for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), DigitalSENSE Business news gathered.

This is as it has increased its expenditure on Information Communication and Technology in line with its vision to beef up security and combat the menace of violent sect Boko Haram.

According to provisions in this year’s Appropriation Act, the government has approved a N1, 594,000,000 ( one billion, five hundred and ninety four million naira) for the establishment of Public Key Infrastructure for Digital Signature Encryption (PKIDSE) for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) while approval has also been given for the acquisition of Enhanced Secured Field Communication System (ESFCS) at cost of N3,900,000,000 (three billion, nine hundred million naira).

The Act also made provision for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to procure security equipment valued at N837,307,610; Electronic Jamming Against Bomb System (EJABS) worth N363,604,547 and Computer Emergency Response (CER) Centre for N2,000,000,000.

Provision was also made for Digital Forensic Laboratory worth N800, 000,000; ONSA Local Area Network (LAN) expansion-N100,000,000 and the National Information, Communication and Education Programme (NICEP) II Security Elements-Phase II-N1,242,896,000. Another N11, 000,000,000 was made available for what the budget termed Enhanced and Specialised Security Equipment, Gadgets and Services.

According to the law, the Directorate of State Security Services (DSSS) which is under the ONSA received budgetary approval to procure Strontium Sky Diligent Recon System at N350,000,000; Static and Mobile Jammers at N412,000,000; procure global system for mobile communication (GSM) Passive Off-the-Air Interception System-N359,000,500; Acquire Data Retention System N415,000,000; purchase more firearms and ammunitions for all service formations at N350,000,000.

Chukwudi Obi 

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

CBN maintains Information Security Standard

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has maintained the highest level in information Security Standard (ISO 27001) compliance since being certified in July, 2013, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.
Disclosing this recently to DigitalSENSE Business News, at the closing ceremony of the ISO 27001 surveillance audit, the Surveillance Auditor of the British Standards Institute (BSI), Vikas Mulkutkar commended CBN, at the Bank’s headquarters in Abuja.

Mr. Mulkutkar, who commended the staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria for their work culture and commitment to the Information Security Management System, noted that the auditors checked all of the information security controls and found them to be in strict compliance and handled by very committed staff.
Speaking further, he said that the 11 departments audited showed high knowledge of information systems security controls and had complied with the ISO 27001 standard exhibiting minimal deviation. He, however, urged the Management of the Bank to consider upgrading from the ISO 27001: 2005 to the current version (ISO27001:2013) of the standard and also engage other system certifications like the Business Continuity Management (BCM) standard and Service Management Standard to ensure an all-round certification for the Bank.

In his response the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, represented by the Deputy Governor (Operations), Dr. Kingsley Moghalu congratulated staff of the Bank for maintaining the highest global information security standard from BSI. He attributed the feat to the high level of professionalism and commitment exhibited by the ISO Champions and entire staff of the Bank.
According to him, the first surveillance audit, which was conducted in the Bank between June 5 and 10, 2014, was to review the CBN Information Security Management System (ISMS) processes, procedures, documents and records.

Continuing, he said sample departments were selected from the five Directorates of the Bank, where departmental processes and business areas were checked for compliance with the standard, including improvements to the Bank’s ISMS since the certification of CBN in July, 2013.
The Governor, therefore, urged staff of the Bank to work harder in order to achieve zero non-conformity standards.

The Management of the Bank, thereafter, presented awards to the ISO Champions in the various departments of the Bank and the Secretariat of Information Security Management System for the successes achieved at the end of the surveillance audit.

Nokia Lumia 630: Pocket Friendly Smartphone Experience

At first glance, the phone itself isn’t especially interesting. Like many budget smartphones, it feels a touch on the cheap side the first time you pick it up, with a simple flat glass front and a plain, removable matte-plastic rear cover, which is available in a variety of bright colours.

Lumia 630 is also the first Nokia device to run on Windows 8.1 operating system.
In terms of build, it isn’t a patch on the solid hunks found on models at the top of the Lumia range, but it does at least look reasonably smart with its angled edges and rounded corners. It’s light, weighing only 134g, and the 4.5in screen ensures the 630 is more pocketable.

On the rear, the Lumia 630 has a 5-megapixel camera with no flash and no front camera. Unusually for a Nokia handset, there’s no dedicated camera shutter button, which proves a real pain; to take a photograph, you have to first unlock the phone then launch the camera app, which can takes as long as ten seconds if you secure your phone with a code.

On the plus side, the phone’s 1,830mAh lithium-ion battery is replaceable, there’s 8GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot that supports up to 128GB.

NCC mourns Nnama, former EVC

 has commiserated with the family and friends of the Nnama Royal Family of Nibo, Anambra State over the death of Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma Nnama, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission.
ITRealms earlier reported that late Dr. Nnama was shot dead by unknown men in his village, Nibo on March 27, 2014, and will be buried on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Ezilowo Haven, Nibo, Anambra State.
In a condolence message after his demise, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah regretted that the life of Dr. Nnama who served the Commission at a critical transition period after the military, with the elected civilian government, was cut short in an unfortunate circumstance.
“It is most regrettable that the life of this statesman was cut short by unknown gunmen in his home town, Nibo, at the prime of his retirement after a meritorious service to the nation,” he said.
He said during his stint as the EVC of NCC, late Dr. Nnama displayed an uncommon passion in the promotion of the potentials of telecommunications as a catalyst for national development.
“When the history of the nation’s telecommunications development is written, Dr. Nnama will occupy a meritorious space for his contributions towards accelerated deregulation of the industry and the transformation witnessed in the industry from 2001,” he said.
At the Night of Tributes hosted in the honour of the departed Dr. Nnama at the Muson Centre Onikan, Lagos, on June 11, 2014, Dr. Juwah, who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, said late Dr. Nnama had a vision that telecommunications services will transform lives and businesses and would contribute to the development of our nation.
In the course of his administration, he developed the memorable “You too Can Phone”, slogan with which he dreamt about a phone revolution where every Nigerian location will be covered by communications signals while every Nigerian could afford todays’ communications equipment.
“I think most Nigerian are now living the dream of late Dr. Nnama, through the regulatory activities of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” he said.

WSIS+10 provides fresh priorities for global ICT ecosystem

THE over 1600 participants from across 100 government ministers and leaders from international organizations, businesses, civil societies and academia met in Geneva during the second week of June to review progress on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) over the last 10 years and to set priorities for the post-2015 development agenda, DigitalSENSE Business News.
Addressing participants, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr Ban Ki-moon, said that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have long been recognized as key enablers for bridging the digital divide and achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, environmental balance and social inclusion.

“We must do everything in our power to increase access to ICTs and broadband connectivity across the world, including reaching people in remote areas, land-locked countries, small island developing states and the least developed countries. This will empower millions of people and enable us to meet our development goals in the post-2015 era,” he said.

With the rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICT) and the mainstreaming of ICTs into everyday life, the link between these technologies and human development has become increasingly important. It has therefore become necessary to consider the development of an inclusive information society in the broader context of the post-2015 development agenda, and this has been outlined in the WSIS+10 Vision for WSIS Beyond 2015 document, which was endorsed on June 12, 2014.
Equally speaking, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ITU Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré noted that the WSIS+10 outcome documents would provide a set of fresh priorities for joint action oriented towards the further development of the global ICT ecosystem, while focusing on the power of ICTs in facilitating development.

“We are now paving the way for ICTs to contribute productively in achieving the objectives of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda” Toure said.
He stressed on the need to protect and reinforce human rights, both online and offline, as well as expanding access to ICTs to all, particularly to vulnerable and marginalized people has been emphasized along with the development and availability of simplified devices to facilitate digital inclusion.

Capacity building to keep pace with advancing technology, multilingualism in the use of ICTs, preserving cultural heritage in the digital age and addressing environmental challenges with green ICTs are considered priorities along with promoting a digital economy and e-commerce.
Governments are encouraged to implement appropriate national strategies and policies for the advancement of ICTs as enablers for social and economic development and to facilitate enabling regulatory, legal and investment environments to facilitate ICT for Development.
Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs, notably to protect personal data and privacy and to strengthen the security and robustness of networks has been emphasized along with enhancing national and regional capacity to address cybersecurity challenges by encouraging a culture of responsibility and joint efforts of all involved parties.

Further strengthening cooperation between all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels is required, the WSIS+10 Vision document notes.
The WSIS+10 Statement on Implementation of WSIS Outcomes reviews progress over the past ten years. The Statement reaffirmed the importance of ICTs in the further development of the information society, stimulating innovations, empowering different groups of people in developed and developing countries, providing access to information, and fostering economic and social growth. It invites UN system organizations and stakeholders to take full advantage of ICTs in addressing the development challenges of the 21st century and to recognize them as cross-cutting enablers for achieving the three pillars of sustainable development: economic growth, environmental balance and social inclusion.

The Final WSIS Targets Review was launched on 10 June indicating significant progress in ICT use, access and infrastructure development but with mixed results in bridging the digital divide.
The WSIS Stocktaking Report 2014 draws attention to key achievements by different stakeholders worldwide. WSIS Success Stories provides a key reference point to WSIS projects which were awarded the 2014 WSIS Project Prizes.
DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that the World Summit on the Information Society was held in two phases, namely in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005.

The WSIS+10 High-level event has been coordinated and organized by ITU, and co-organized by ITU, United Nations Education and Scientific Children Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
UN Agencies like the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), ITC, UNDESA, UNODC, UPU, UN Women, WMO, WHO, WFP, WIPO and the UN Regional Commissions also played a key facilitating role. The WSIS High-level Event was supported by governments and the private sector, including the United Arab Emirates and Intel (as Strategic partners) as well as Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland along with Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, IFIP, Internet Society (ISOC), and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

6 win British airways Leadership Awards

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Six students of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, have been named winners in the British Airways’ Leaders of Tomorrow award and are due to embark on a two-week internship programme to be held in Nigeria and London in July 2014 DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

Speaking on the award, regional commercial manager British Airways West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka said, “As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria needs a strong aviation sector. Leaders of Tomorrow is our contribution to this and we expect big things from the winners in the coming years.”

 According to him, the value of the programme is that it bridges the gap between the classroom and the work environment, providing hands-on experience with one of the world’s most admired airline.

The initiative aimed at deepening competencies in the aviation sector, saw Abimbola Caulcrick,( a student of Abridged Airframe and Powerplant AAP-8); Fajemisin Peter Adebola, Adachie Eneojo, (both Post Graduate Diploma students of Aviation Management); Banigo Michael, Ubong George Itok, (both studying at Standard Airframe and Powerplant, AP-27); and Ogunranti Olaluwa, a student of Abridged Avionics (AAVO-13), named as winners.

These winners DigitalSENSE Business News gathered were selected by an independent panel of three judges including aviation writer, Wole Shadare, aviation consultant, Simon Tumba and petroleum & energy services professional, Tunde Arogunmati.

The internship it was learnt includes a two-week theoretical and practical training in aviation management in Nigeria and London; visiting British Airways Training centre in Crane bank as well as the Engineering base in Cardiff. The programme will be concluded with an opportunity to understudy Keith Williams, Chief Executive Officer of British Airways in London, as well as visiting other departments within the company to get firsthand experience of the workings of a global airline.

At the end of the internship, the winners will receive a British Airways’ accredited certification from the CEO to mark their graduation from the Leaders for Tomorrow Academy.

Recall that British Airways Leaders of Tomorrow was launched on the 13th of March, 2014 for aviation college students to send a 500-word essay on the topic; Building a more Robust Aviation Industry and Travel Luxury; Benefits of International Airline.

All entries were vetted and scrutinized by a panel of three judges while the panel of judges selected the winning six entries. .

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

UNDP seeks better welfare for informal workers

DigitalSENSE Business News:

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Coordinator to Nigeria, Mr Daouda Toure, has called for improved welfare for informal workers as they provide a wide range of important services to citizens saying that, for many people in the developing world, the informal economy is an important source of livelihood for individuals, families and communities, DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

Toure told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that in many parts of the world, the informal sector constitutes an intrinsic part of the social landscape adding that in many developing countries, informality is associated with a way of life, moulded by custom and tradition, than with a conscious decision to remain outside the formal sector.

“It provides a wide range of important services to citizens like local transportation, accommodation, food, entertainment or services which sustain the life of many. Yet, there are other, less desirable aspects of informality, which also need to be recognised. Informal workers tend to have low and irregular incomes, long working hours, and reduced access to benefits and opportunities for skills development. They are also not mostly covered by labour legislation such as safety and health requirements relating to conditions in the workplace,” he said.

He said all of these factors increased the vulnerability of informal workers and their families to external shocks, and exposed them to the so called “working poverty.”

Chukwudi Obi 

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

MTNGroup shuffles as MTN Nigeria gets new CFO, Moolman

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria has appointed Ferdi Moolman as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

This is coming as MTN Uganada, Irancell and MTN South Africa all subsidiaries of MTN group have experienced staff reshuffling at the top level cadre.

In a statement made available to DigitalSENSE Business News, until his appointment, Moolman was the Chief Operations Officer at MTN Irancell and he takes over from Andrew Bing, who was CFO of the company for eight years.

“This would be his second working experience in MTNNigeria as he was the pioneering General Manager, Financial Operations between 2001 and 2007,” the statement said.

Other key MTN Group leadership appointments announced were Mazen Mroue, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Uganda, who was appointed as the new Chief Operations Officer of MTN Irancell. He will be succeeded in Uganda by Brian Gouldie, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN South Africa.

MTN Group President and CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa, congratulated the executives on their appointments, saying, “We are delighted that we are able to fill these executive management positions from within our leadership ranks, in line with our leadership development strategy.”

Chukwudi Obi

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

University of Djibouti goes live on Oracle e-campus to deliver world-class education

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Dr Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education and Research

The University of Djibouti has implemented a sophisticated software system to help it achieve its ambition to deliver tertiary education to students in countries in the horn of Africa, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

Oracle’s Corporate Communications Leader, Mr. Peter Rae, disclosed to DigitalSENSE Business News that the initiative which was sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education, was unveiled at a ceremony attended by the Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and students from the university.

Minister of Higher Education and Research, Dr Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, in the statement said that the system will entrench global best practices in delivering and managing higher education. “This is the perfect platform upon which to build our continuing investment in the youth of this region, for whom world-class education is essential,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed noted that modern technology is a key requirement to advance education in Djibouti and beyond.

Oracle Senior Vice President, East Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, Alfonso di Ianni said “significance of this implementation lies in the vision of the Djibouti’s President, who recognized that modern technology today is a vehicle for progress,” stressing  that this implementation has proved that information technology is a very powerful transformational tool for business and government.

Principal of Djibouti University, Dr Djama Mohamed Hassan, said that the software platform constitutes a complete university system delivering teaching, research and administrative management in line with international modern practices.

“The university would not have had the skills to implement these processes manually, but the Peoplesoft system already has best practices built into the workflows. Students, academic staff and administration can have a fluid, seamless engagement whether virtual or physical, thus allowing them to address student and academic needs dynamically.”

The long-term goal of the university is to provide degree and post-graduate courses to students in surrounding countries, a service the university believes will be supported by the system.

DigitalSENSE Business News checks reveal that implementation was conducted jointly by Mahindra Satyam and Mega Bureautique, a Djibouti-based partner which trained a team of software engineers to provide support. Oracle provided servers, storage, and software to ensure the project was a success.

Chukwudi Obi


... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Domain names: Types of disputes between registrants and third parties- concluding part

Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy
THE Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy (TDRP) applies to transactions in which a domain-name holder transfers or attempts to transfer a domain name to a new registrar. The TDRP concerns registrar disputes under the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy, which is followed by the .biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, .org, and .pro TLDs. Proceedings under the TDRP may be filed with the appropriate registry operator or with an independent dispute resolution provider. Any ICANN-accredited registrar may initiate a TDRP proceeding against another registrar by submitting a complaint in accordance with the selected registry operator or dispute resolution providers’ supplemental rules.

•Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy
•List of Approved Dispute Resolution Service Providers

Proceedings
ICANN does not maintain a current centralized index of domain name dispute resolution proceedings. Search tools for UDRP proceedings can be found at the individual dispute resolution proceedings sites of ICANN’s approved dispute-resolution service providers, which can be found at the following link:
List of Approved Dispute Resolution Service Providers
Limited indexes of past UDRP proceedings are archived in the following link:
Archived Indexes and Statistics for UDRP Proceedings
Approval Process for Dispute Resolution Service Providers
ICANN is not currently soliciting additional dispute resolution service providers; however, interested parties may contact ICANN on an individual basis to express their interest. The procedures used for approving providers in the past are provided for reference below.
Organizations seeking provisional approval as service providers under any of ICANN’s dispute resolution policies should take the following steps:
1.Become familiar with the relevant policy and associated rules.
2.Submit an application by email to (icann@icann.org) and by postal mail:
Dispute Resolution Service Provider Applications
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6601 USA

Applications should contain:
1.An overview of the applicant’s capabilities and background in providing alternative dispute-resolution (ADR) services, including a description of the applicant’s track record of handling the clerical aspects of expedited ADR proceedings.
2.A list of the names and qualifications of the panelists the applicant proposes to include on its published list and a description of the screening requirements applicant has used in selecting panelists to be included on its list.
3.A description of training and educational measures the applicant proposes to employ for listed panelists with respect to domain-name disputes, the relevant policy, and the associated Rules.
4.A commitment by the applicant not to prevent or discourage any of its listed panelists from serving as panelists for domain-name disputes administered by other approved providers.
5. A copy of the applicant’s proposed supplemental rules (including fee schedule).
6. Documentation of applicant’s proposed internal operating procedures. If requested, ICANN will hold this documentation in confidence.
7. A proposed schedule for applicant’s implementation of its program for administering proceedings under the policy, including a statement of applicant’s administrative capacity in terms of number of proceedings initiated on a monthly basis.
8. A statement of any requested limitations on the number of proceedings that applicant handles, either during a start-up period or on a permanent basis.
9. A description of how the applicant proposes to administer proceedings, including its interactions with parties, registrars, ICANN, and other approved providers.
10. Description of how the applicant intends to publish decisions of panels in proceedings it administers and a commitment to provide ICANN with copies of all portions of decisions of panels not published.
In general, ICANN examines the applications to determine whether the applicant has demonstrated its ability to handle proceedings in an expedited, global, online context in an orderly and fair manner.

Attributes that are especially important include:
1. Applicant should have a track record in competently handling the clerical aspects of ADR proceedings.ICANN considers proper review of pleadings for administrative compliance and reliable and well-documented distribution of documents to the parties and panels to be essential capabilities for providers. In the absence of a well-established track record in handling the clerical function, a detailed plan for providing those abilities ordinarily must be submitted.
2. Applicant should propose a list of highly qualified neutrals who have agreed to serve as panelists. Applicant’s list should include at least twenty persons. Applicants are expected thoroughly to train the listed neutrals concerning the policy and rules, the technology of domain names, and the basic legal principles applicable to domain-name disputes. Accordingly, excessively long lists of neutrals are discouraged. The applicant should either present a list of panelists from multiple countries or, if the applicant initially presents a single-country list, propose a plan to expand its list to become multinational.
3. Applicant’s supplemental rules and internal procedures should demonstrate that applicant understands the workings