FG launches Open Data Initiative, Johnson says it’ll improve efficiency

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The Federal Government (FG) through the Ministry of Communication Technology, Wednesday launched the Open Data Development Initiative (ODDI) to support Federal Government’s objective of driving innovation, investment and economic growth by enabling access to government data, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The Special Assistant Media to Minister of Communication Technology, Efem Nkanga, reiterated this to DigitalSENSE Business News, and quoted Mrs. Omobola Johnson as saying that data has become increasingly important in all aspects of life.

The Initiative, she said, was a consultative and inclusive process that will open up high value data sets from across government ministries to Nigerian citizens, businesses and the rest of the world, for free.

The commencement of this process makes Nigeria the world’s first federal Open Data initiative to simultaneously launch inclusive and continuing consultations with both government and nongovernment communities on their Open Data priorities to develop the country’s national Open Data implementation plan.

The Nigeria Federal Open Data Initiative,  she said is supported by the World Bank and DFID aims to highlight the potential efficiency, innovations and public value that can be achieved when government uses technology to open its data    Over 50 countries have launched federal-level Open Data initiatives.  

The impact on economic growth can be transformative; an analysis by global consulting firm McKinsey indicates that Open Data generates more than $3 trillion of new economic value for the U.S. economy alone. Also the weather data of the US is worth $30b annually, while the total worth of Global Positioning System GPS data is worth $90b.

Mrs. Johnson highlighted that when data is analysed and presented in an intelligent format, data is essential to making informed decisions that produce value. The essence of publishing non-sensitive government data online is to deliver value-adding insights that benefit citizens.

"We would like to ensure that our Open Data initiative is driven by demand. We will be guided by the practical needs of Nigerians to ensure that Open Data fuels innovation and grows the Nigerian economy,” she said.

Johnson also said that the launch of the Open Data Initiative heralded by an Open Data Stakeholder Engagement Workshop brought together more than 120 representatives from across MDAs, and the private and nonprofit sectors to identify priorities and actions to inform the implementation of the Nigeria Federal Open Data.

The workshop, she pointed out was designed to explore the role of Open Data in organizational innovation; highlight the public value that can be created by opening government data, as well as challenges and mitigation strategies associated with these efforts; discussing best practices and lessons learned in opening up government data from across regions, through the lens of the Nigerian context and enable data user communities, including MDAs, citizens, and businesses, to identify valuable data sets that can drive innovation, investment and job creation.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that the initial stakeholder consultations held recently with a kickoff meeting hosted by the Ministry of Communication Technology, attended by 63 representatives from across MDAs

This consultation process, she said, aims at government talking openly and freely about their Open Data priorities, and detailed discussion of policies, management, and technology and capability changes necessary to build an Open Data ecosystem in Nigeria.

Remmy Nweke

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Mrs. Johnson, CommTech Minister

Taskdirect excites customers at first digital products auction

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Living up to its promise, Taskdirect, nationwide Tuesday opened its doors for Nigerians storm its smart shops to buy from the world’s first device auction tagged “Digital Democracy,” reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The event, has earned itself ‘Digital Tuesday auction’ is expected to repeat on Tuesday February 4, 2014 and each Tuesday thereafter.

Affirming this to DigitalSENSE Business News, the Corporate Communications Adviser for Taskdirect, Mr. Uche Nnadozie, said that every auction will have a surprising new mix of 25,000 units of the latest smart devices including laptops, desktop computers, printers, scanners, tablets and consumables which would be up for auction.

“The intention is to equip the next 80 million Nigerians through original digital devices with global warranty” he said.

Nnadozie also said that excited Nigerians used the online platform to participate in the programme. Few minutes into the auction which began at 7.00 am, a banker and Lagos resident, Mr. Abiodun Adigun had ordered and paid for a Lenovo tablet through TaskDirect’s website.

Other customers who visited the various smart shops across the country, he said, showed enthusiasm towards the idea of the auction and picked up devices of their choice at great prices.

He further said that at the various locations in Asaba, Port Harcourt, Victoria Island, Abuja, Kano, Uyo and Enugu, customers turn out were impressive.  Pointing out that reports on his desk as at press time revealed that customers were excited by the opportunity that Digital Democracy gave them to purchase smart devices at incredible prices.

Elucidating on “Digital Tuesday” Nnadozie stated that “customers could purchase a maximum of two devices per order,” for those wanting more quantities other than two, he advised to contact TaskDirect at auction@taskdirect.com for approval to buy, but not at the reserved prices.

He told DigitalSENSE Business News that on all other days, the smart shops around the country and the online store will continue to sell devices.

“Nigerians who have been waiting for a great choice of smart devices can be rest assured that Taskdirect is here to serve them. We will fulfill all their needs at the right price and with great service. As fellow Nigerians, we will not relent until we meet the yearnings of all our people who have been groaning for affordable smart devices,” he said.

   Remmy Nweke:

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Heirs Holdings invests heavily in Planet Labs 'doves' technology

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The pan-African proprietary investment company founded by Tony O. Elumelu, Heirs Holdings, has invested heavily an undisclosed sum in a United States (US) start-up, Planet Labs’ innovative satellite manufacturing technology, popularly called 'doves'.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that Heirs Holdings is the only African investor in the project, which is based in San Francisco.

According to DigitalSENSE Business News findings, Planet Labs aims to transform the way imaging of the Earth is carried out, through the introduction of ultra-small satellites called ‘doves.’

These ‘doves’ circle the planet in low orbit and are significantly cheaper to produce and deploy than existing technology. Besides, as they orbit closer to the Earth, they are able to take higher-resolution images than traditional satellites.

Confirming this development to DigitalSENSE Business News, Elumelu, who is the chairman of Heirs Holdings, noted that as the only African investor in Planet Labs’ project, his company is incredibly proud to have supported such an innovative and dynamic company, which has already achieved significant success.

“As part of our business philosophy of Africapitalism, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups to enable them to bring scale to their projects and we look forward to following Planet Labs’ achievements over the coming years,” he said.

Planet Labs has already achieved some significant milestones. In 2013 alone, the company launched four satellites on three rockets, and delivered their first fleet of 28 satellites, which are expected to head into space shortly.

Co-founder, Planet Labs, Mr. Robbie Schingler said they were very excited to welcome Heirs Holdings to the team of investors and expressed thanks to them for their support. 

"The funding that they and other partners provide is vital for our development as a company and we are particularly pleased to be working with an African company, as our technology has the potential to support Africa’s development by monitoring and mapping the continent’s natural resources and agriculture,” Schingler said.

Chuks Egbuna/GEE

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Tony Elumelu

Royal Exchange names Malhotra, new Group Head, Strategy and Business Planning

DigitalSENSEBusiness News:

The Nigeria’s foremost insurance group, Royal Exchange Plc, has named Mr. Mukesh Malhotra, an Indian national, as the new Group Head, Strategy and Business Planning with immediate effect, reports DigitalSENSEBusiness News.

Confirming this development to DigitalSENSEBusiness News, the Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. Chike Mokwunye, said that the appointment of Mr. Malhotra is in continuation of the company’s resolve to employ seasoned professionals who could impact positively on the fortunes of the group, in addition to building a market-oriented organisation.

He also said that the appointment is predicated on continuously creating responsive entity to serve the needs of the market and the ever-changing demands of the client, which have kept Royal Exchange in business.

Mokwunye pointed out that this appointment will afford Royal Exchange to redefine its strategic vision, develop new products and channels to meet the ever-changing needs of the consumer.

“… And also enable the group to be a dorminant player in the insurance and other financial services sector in Nigeria.” he asserted.

The GMD, was equally quoted in a press statement made available to DigitalSENSE Business News by the Corporate Communications department as saying that Mr. Mukesh will be responsible for developing different business strategies for the various business subsidiaries, develop new products, enhance existing products/channels and also implement the revised 3-year Strategic Plan for the organisation encompassing all the functions in the organisation.

He described Mr. Mukesh Malhotra as a seasoned executive with over 17 years of rich experience in the areas of finance, corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions in companies such as Bharti Airtel, eBay, Coca Cola, Dell and Ricoh.

Malhotra, he further said, has been involved in financial controls, capex optimization, cost controls, corporate restructuring, growth strategy and market entry strategic initiatives for various start-ups and global multi-billion dollar organisations.

Mr. Malhotra, before now, he said was heading the Business Planning & Market Planning for different verticals of Bharti Airtel, India and before that, was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for eBay. Prior to that, he was with Coca-Cola India and was taking care of Strategic Planning.

Mukesh holds a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Punjab Engineering College and a Masters in Business Economics (Finance and Econometrics) from Delhi University.

DigitalSENSEBusiness News recalls that Royal Exchange Plc commenced operations in 1921 and has continued to be driven by innovation and a determination to offer services that are of exceptional value to its customers.

Following the recapitalization exercise in 2007, the company was reorganized into a group structure comprising Royal Exchange Plc as the holding company and five strategic subsidiaries namely, Royal Exchange General Insurance Company Limited (Non-Life Insurance Services); Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc (Life Assurance Services); Royal Exchange Finance and Investments Limited (Financial Advisory Services); Royal Exchange Healthcare Limited (HMO and Health Insurance); and Royal Exchange Microfinance Bank Limited (Banking Services).

Remmy Nweke

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Millionaire Hunt promo: Etisalat to reward 50 winners of Easybusiness

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Etisalat Nigeria says it would soon begin reward for customers who participated in  the Easybusiness Millionaire Hunt Promo, which is aimed at empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The promo avails customers to own grants, training, office equipment and expertise support to actualise their business ideas.

DigitalSENSE Business News also reports that entries for the scheme was originally scheduled to end on December 31, 2013 but was extended to January 31 to afford more SME owners the opportunity to benefit from the offer.

According to Director, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada, who told DigitalSENSE Business News that at least 50 winners will be selected and announced in February.

“The winners will receive free training courses on entrepreneurial management and advisory services from the esteemed Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University. They will also be given office equipment while the top 10 winners will win a cash sum of N2m each,” he said.

These prospects, he said, have heightened expectations in the SME sector as the Etisalat Easybusiness Millionaire Hunt Promo would go a long way in ensuring that young entrepreneurs, who have fantastic business ideas, but lack the required capital to pursue and realise their dreams, go beyond such obstacles.

Dada also said that interested customers could still submit their ideas on or before January 31 by texting ‘Yes’ to 5885 from their Easybusiness lines and expressed optimism that this innovation will help his company impact on a vital segment of the economy in two important empowerment areas of knowledge and capital.

“The Etisalat Easybusiness Millionaires Hunt is designed to reward Nigerian SMEs with the most viable business ideas, with fantastic gifts to kick off their business in the right direction. We are confident that the initiative would prove beneficial to SME owners across the country and also have a ripple effect on the sector, with beneficiaries further impacting on others,” he said.

Before this stage, Etisalat had presented SMEs that made entries with over 100 Smartphones won on daily basis as part of the promo.

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... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

BPO increases company flexibility - Gbenga Adebayo, GCEO, CNSSL

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Communication Network Support Services Limited (CNSSL), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo has said that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) service increases company flexibility, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Speaking to DigitalSENSE Business News during a tour of the company headquarters recently, Mr. Adebayo expressed optimism that Nigeria is the next major destination for BPO.

He also told DigitalSENSE Business News that Business Process Outsourcing involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of specific business functions or processes to a third-party service provider.

BPO, Adebayo noted is typically categorized into back office outsourcing, and front office outsourcing, which includes customer-related services such as contact center services.

According to him, the main advantage of BPO is the way in which it helps increase a company's flexibility.

He cited in early year 2000s, that BPO was all about cost efficiency, which allowed a certain level of flexibility at the time.

“Business process outsourcing enhances the flexibility of an organization in different ways,” he said.

In addition, he said, most services provided by BPO vendors are offered on a fee-for-service basis, which could help a company to become more flexible by transforming fixed into variable costs. 

He pointed out that a variable cost structure helps a company responding to changes in required capacity and does not require a company to invest in assets, thereby making the company more flexible.

“Outsourcing may provide a firm with increased flexibility in its resource management and may reduce response times to major environmental changes,” he said.

Adebayo maintained that another way in which BPO contributes to a company’s flexibility is that a company is able to focus on its core competencies, without being burdened by the demands of bureaucratic restraints.

“Key employees are herewith released from performing non-core or administrative processes and could invest more time and energy in building the firm’s core businesses,” he said.

The third way in which, BPO increases organizational flexibility, he said, is by increasing the speed of business processes.

He insisted that BPO, therefore, allows firms to retain their entrepreneurial speed and agility, which they would otherwise sacrifice in order to become efficient as they expanded.

Remmy Nweke

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Gbenga Adebayo, GCEO, CNSSL

Zinox Digital Option debuts Tuesday

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leader, the Zinox Group has concluded plans to launch its Digital Option in Lagos, this Tuesday, reports DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

Confirming this to DigitalSENSE Business News, the Corporate Communications Adviser to the company, Mr. Uche Nnadozie, said that Tuesday, January 28, 2014 would be agog with the launch of the new online and retail outlet in Gbagada, Lagos, tagged Task Direct.

He also said the retail shop is a one stop centre for original ICT products from globally acclaimed manufacturers, which focuses on enhancing digital penetration in the country with a double offering of online shopping and a touch and feel shop in strategic cities around the country.

“Task Direct has already gone live, real time with its unique and innovative products covering iconic brands like Dell, Lenovo, HP, Zinox, APC, Samsung among several others,” he said, stressing that the products available includes desktops, laptops, tablets, slates, printers, cartridges of different specifications among several others.

The shops, he said, were built in style and friendliness to serve the good people of Lagos promptly both online and on site.

“Because of inquiries from other parts of the country, digital shops have been opened in Abuja, Kano, Owerri, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Uyo” he said.

According to him, in order to promote customer satisfaction and make it easier for Nigerians to easily acquire digital devices of their choice at reasonable prices, Task Direct would from Tuesday January, 2014 and every Tuesday begin its auction sales to enable more Nigerians partake in the digital experience currently optimizing output around the world.

The auction option, Nnadozie said, is Task Direct’s way of assisting Nigerians take ownership of world class ICT brands of their choice.

Further, Mr. Nnadozie beckons on Nigerians to take ownership of the Tuesday Auction sales to meet their personal and professional ICT demands.

“This is an opportunity for parents to buy ICT devices for their children at affordable prices; it is also an chance for small time businesses to acquire office equipment at reasonable prices and for home owners to take advantage of our offering to digitalize their houses,” Nnadozie declared.

He disclosed to DigitalSENSE Business News that some of the dignitaries billed to grace the event in Gbagada, Lagos shop is sensational Afro Hip Hop musician and multiple award winner, Inyaya, who is also Zinox Ambassador.

Remmy Nweke

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Airtel – 7Up Promo: Offer Nigerians N4bn free airtime on crown cock

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Airtel Nigeria has disclosed its splashing over N4 billion worth of airtime for Nigerians in a new mega-consumer promo in partnership with Seven-up Bottling Company Plc, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The promo, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered is open for 60 days between January 20 and March 22, 2014, and offers consumers who purchase any of Pepsi, Mirinda, 7-Up, Teem or Mountain Dewcarbonated drinks from the stable of the soft drinks producer, instant Airtel free airtime.

General Manager, Value Added Services (VAS), Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Victor Bannerman-Chedid, told DigitalSENSE Business News that the promo is an in-depth demonstration of the company’s customer-centric culture which translates to multi-faceted exciting packages and offerings.

He emphasised that Airtel is a true pro-people telecoms company based on the various channels through which it strives toenrich the lives of Nigerians, recalling that Airtel only recently concluded another exciting promo in which every customer was a winner.

The partnership between Pepsi and Airtel, he told DigitalSENSE Business News is one of the most exciting things to happen to the Nigerian consumer in recent time.

“We are happy to begin the New Year on a very promising and positive note for the good of the Nigerian consumer. We recognize their importance and the immense roles they play in the success of our businesses,” he said.

According to him, the partnership would see Nigerian consumers winning airtime for every glass bottle of Pepsi, Mirinda, 7Up, Teem and Mountain Dew purchased in the next 60 days.

He explained that the promo tagged ‘Everybody is a Winner’ is that each crown cock would bear a pin number which is revealed when a consumer peels off the inner bottle covering of any of the carbonated soft drinks.

Then, such a consumer could dial the revealed PIN number for instant recharge of one minute Airtel airtime for both on-net and off-net calls.

He said that for consumers who are not on the Airtel network, the PIN number entitles them to a free SIM card that on activation will enable the consumer to enjoy the free airtime. Consumers can redeem up to three free airtime crowns per day and each recharge is valid for three days.

“In addition, the airtime has pass over value as a customer may decide to give it to friends or family members as a show of love. It is also redeemable within 30 days after promo window closes,” he said.

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... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Etisalat marks 17m subscribers in style, unveils 3 new Easyflex bundles

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Overtly excited with its performance in the last five years of operations, the Etisalat Nigeria, Wednesday marked the attainment of 17 million subscribers-base in style, just as the operator added three new Easyflex bundles to its bouquet of offerings, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The three new Easyflex bundles by Etisalat, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered includes Flex 4000, Flex 10000 and flex 20000, to the Easyflex bouquet.

The Chief Commercial Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, told DigitalSENSE Business News described the 17m mark as a remarkable success since the company is only in its fifth year of operation in Nigeria.

These bundles were introduced to ensure that Etisalat Easyflex customers enjoy the best value from their flex packages.

“The reloaded Easyflex offers the cheapest tariffs for voice, SMS and Pay As You Go data, and therefore serves as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all voice & data needs of high value customers,” he said.

Also, Willsher told DigitalSENSE Business News that Etisalat is not only committed to unveiling new products and services, but also offers value and affordable tariffs that are of utmost benefit to its customers.

“The new Easyflex now comes with an exciting data bonus. Customers on any of the new bundles will receive 100% bonus when they purchase any data plan from 1.5GB and above, within the next six months. If they activate at any Etisalat Experience Centre, they will receive two complimentary SIM cards, to share the same data plan on other devices like iPads, smartphones and modems,” he said.

Willsher pointed out that the new bundles would ensure that esteemed customers could start off the New Year with one convenient and affordable communication package that caters to all their voice and data needs, and emphasized that the total bonus on the bundles is as much as 225 per cent.

Remmy Nweke

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: From Left: Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; Acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Etisalat Ambassadors, Genevieve Nnaji, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Olamide Adedeji and Director, Consumer Segments, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Oluwole Rawa at Wheatbaker hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, 22nd January

5 cities agog for Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol-4

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Five cities are now agog for the fourth auditions of Nigerian Idols, namely Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Benin, Calabar and Makurdi starting from January 25, through February 23, 2014, reports DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion.

Confirming this to DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion, Etisalat's Director, Brands and Communications, Mr. Enitan Denloye said all is set for the nation-wide hunt for the brightest music talents to grace the stage of one of the biggest reality music competitions sponsored by the telco.

He also said to DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion that the Nigerian Idol audition train will move from the ancient city of Benin at the Excalibur Hotel on January 25 to Port-Harcourt’s Presidential Hotel on February 1.

While on February 8, the Monty Suites in Calabar will play host to Nigerian Idol auditions, just as Smileview Hotel Extension in Makurdi will be the centre for February 15 session.

Final stage, he disclosed to DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion will see the auditions moving to Dream Studios, Omole-Lagos on February 22 and 23 this year.

Further, Denloye expressed Etisalat’s excitement as the sponsor of the Nigerian Idols season 4 for the fourth consecutive times.

Etisalat, he said, has identified the competition as a platform that recognizes and celebrates music talent among the youth.

"The Nigerian youth community is dynamic. However, music still remains a huge part of their culture. At Etisalat, the youth segment is one of our major markets, and that is why we are continuing our sponsorship of the Nigerian Idol competition to connect with them in a way they can easily relate with," he declared.

For the Head, Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani said the choice of Makurdi as an audition location this season, was necessary to spread the reach to other parts of the country.

As said by her, “there is an abundance of talent in the country and Etisalat through the competition, is giving them a chance to voice their dreams.”

Mary Onyeure/GEE

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Mr. Wellsher, acting CEO, Etisalat Nigeria

Emirates celebrates 10-yr in Nigerian airspace

DigitalSENSE Business News

Leading global airline, the Emirates, recently celebrated its 10 years of flying within the Nigeria’s airspace successfully, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Emirates Regional Manager for West Africa, Mr. Manoj Nair, disclosed to DigitalSENSE Business News that they have carried over 2.6 million customers on the route, thus becoming the airline of choice for most Nigerians and travellers on this route.

Also DigitalSENSE Business News reports that Emirates started operations in Nigeria on 2 January 2004, with four flights per week from Dubai to Lagos linked with Accra in Ghana, using an A330-200 aircraft, hence, Lagos became Emirates 73^rd destination in its network and its 10^th in Africa.

“Today, Emirates flies to over 140 destinations across six continents, 25 of which are in Africa,” he said.

Nair further said that for Emirates, it’s all about connecting people and places, and as Nigerians love to travel, explore the world and make new experiences.

“We are proud to have played a major role over the past ten years in connecting Nigerians, whether for business or leisure, to our ever-expanding worldwide network through our Dubai hub. We look forward to continuing our growth in Nigeria by providing the best possible travel experiences and value for money,” Nair said.

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... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
Pix: Emirates boeing 777-330

Airtel’s NGT’14: Don’t go emotional, judges warn contestants

DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion:

Judges at the ongoing 2014 edition of the Airtel sponsored Nigeria’s Got Talent have sounded a note of warning for potential contestants who may wish to go emotional in order to gain marks, DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion reports.

DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion gathered that this warming became necessary at the auditioning in Enugu the coal city capital when one of the contestants, John Bethel, publicly chose to woo one of them and the only lady judge among the three; Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, by unveiling a smiling image of the actress.

Displeased by this attitude, one of the judges, Mr. Yibo Koko chided him for failing to work at meeting expectations and seeking to explore an emotional angle.

“Of all that have performed here, you are the least on this show,” visible angry Yibo told John.

Also, DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion gathered that Ms Henshaw firmly delivered her judgement on the contestant despite taking a like for the portrait, counselling him on how best to improve on his performance.

For Dan Foster, the third judge, the singer deserves correction and admonition, pointed out the misses in the performances.

DigitalSENSE Art&Fashion learnt that other contestants on the queue for a place in the finals include The Elevators, Imeh Peace, Oasis, ESN, John (8 Strings) Azuka, Showboy Efe and Precious Play. From these,the act with the highest number of votes will be joined on the finals train by the act with at least 2/3 majority votes of the judges.

The Season two of the Bharti Airtel- sponsored ‘’Got Talent’’ reality TV show commenced on October 9 with nation-wide auditions in select cities including Abuja, Port- Harcourt, Asaba, Calabar, Enugu, Benin, Ibadan and Lagos .

The semi-finals opened on December 29 with the finals expected to hold on February 8, 2014 in Lagos.

Mary Onyeure/GEE

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

MultiChoice boosts Bayelsa with Resource Centre

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The MultiChoice Nigeria, has given a boost to Bayelsa State education development with the opening of a MultiChoice Resource Centre (MRC) initiative, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Multichoice is reported by DigitalSENSE Business News as a leading provider of premium pay-TV services on the DStv and GOtv platforms, which has extended its major Corporate Social Investment project in the education sector.

DigitalSENSE Business News also reports that MultiChoice’s Resource Centes began in 2004 and has extended to 10 additional public secondary schools in Bayelsa State. The CSR initiative kicked-off in Abuja and Lagos State will avail students of 10 public schools in Bayelsa State access to world-class learning facilities.

The intervention comprises a TV set, a HD PVR decoder, satellite dish, a power generator, uninterrupted power system (UPS), a set of chairs and desks for the laboratory, in additional to training for teachers. The MRC facilitates teaching and learning enhancement by enabling school children access educational TV channels that include: Education TV, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC Knowledge, BBC World, History Channel, Animal Planet and Mindset Learn, at no cost.

The novel intervention which has been introduced to 274 schools in 27 states of the federation and proven to make critical impact on the knowledge levels and understanding especially of technical subject areas by students, is now within the reach of students of the public secondary schools in Bayelsa State, bringing the total to 284 in 28 states across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

A commemorative commissioning ceremony of the 10 new MRC in Bayelsa State held at Saint Jude’s Secondary School, Yenagoa, on Thursday, January 16. The launch in Bayelsa is in furtherance of the ninth Phase of the MRC project, which include scheduled launches in other beneficiary schools in some select states to be announced by the company.

The Commissioner for Education, Bayelsa State, Hon. Salo Adikumo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Education, Hon Durban Whyte, lauded MultiChoice and its implementing partner, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited, for the initiative which she described as a veritable tool for the provision of valuable learning resource components for public schools across the country. “The MultiChoice Resource Centre project, which provides valuable learning resource components for 10 selected public schools in the State of Bayelsa to support the government’s efforts especially at a time when the Chief Executive Officer of the State, His Excellency Governor Dickson Seriake is leading a restoration agenda following his declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector, is a welcome development,” he said.

“The launch in Yenagoa makes Bayelsa a proud and happy 28th beneficiary state in Nigeria from the laudable project funded by MultiChoice in several African countries. This partnership is to reaffirm the commitment of our administration to providing qualitative education to the entire students of the state and to sustain the high level of educational development attained through innovative project like the MRC. By this achievement, our students are guaranteed to be kept abreast of happening on the global scene through methodical teaching and learning introduced by the resource centre project,” Hon Adikumo added.

Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said “The resource centre initiative is our corporate social investment project that has grown from only four centres at inception.”

He added that the technological, economic, socio-political advancement of any country has a direct correlation with its level of educational development and that the future of a country is intrinsically tied to the quality of education that the youths are exposed to, a belief which informs MultiChoice’s roll-out of the audio-visual learning aid across the country. He further said that MultiChoice plans to launch the resource centres in all the states of the federation.

“The MultiChoice Resource Centre project is our way of promoting the use of integrated and communication technologies to raise the standard of education by deploying the imagery of sight and sound to make learning more vivid and creative. To achieve these, we have partnered with the relevant educational stakeholders to integrate learning from the resource centres into the relevant school curriculum. This way, we are assured that television, which is a powerful communication tool, is also used as a potent education resource,” Ugbe stated.

Mrs Ronke Bello, Managing Director, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Ltd, said, “The MultiChoice resource centre is designed to grant beneficiary schools access to the special MultiChoice Education bouquet with the aim of integrating the programmes into their curriculum to further enhance the teaching and learning processes in classrooms.”

She added that MultiChoice, in conjunction with Innovative Technology Literacy Services also conducted a Teacher-Training programme for 50 selected teachers, five each from the 10 beneficiary schools. “The teachers were trained as Master-Trainers who would in turn train their colleagues on the use and integration of the special education bouquet into their learning environment. A MultiChoice Resource Centre Educator’s Guide has also been provided to guide the teachers and the schools on the use and maintenance of the facilities.”

Chuks Egbuna/GEE

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!