Michael Ikpoki: A new dawn for MTN Nigeria

Nigeria’s telecoms industry has been awash with commendations for the MTN Group, for finally finding a prophet worthy at home, favour of Michael Ikpoki, who became the first chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria recently. REMMY NWEKE writes, it’s now left for Nigerians to support their own to excel beyond what they did in the last 11 years, so as to take the company to the next level.

Excerpts:

All hail MTN:

Recent appointment of Mr. Michael Ikpoki as the new chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria has been commended by industry leaderships, saying that the appointment of a Nigerian to lead the largest mobile network operator in the land which is transforming to a holistic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company is a welcome development in the history of telecommunications in the country.

Ikpoki is MTN Nigeria CEO

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that Mr. Ikpoki was appointed CEO of MTN Ghana in April 2011 after he successfully managed the MTN Nigeria’s Sales and Distribution channel as its Executive from 2006. He joined MTN in 2001 as a Regulatory Advisor after a six-year stint with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s legal division.

Also, a veteran business executive, Michael Ikpoki is well read, with an academic profile that includes General Management Programme at Harvard Business School; Sales from INSEAD Business School; Finance and Analytics, from Lagos Business School and LLB from Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Other appointments announced by MTN Group alongside Ikpoki’s included Serame Taukobong, the erstwhile Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of MTN SA, who is the new CEO of MTN Ghana. Brian Gouldie, Chief Customer Sales, Service and Distribution Officer at MTN SA, is the new CMO of MTN SA. Farhad Khan, Executive for the Group Enterprise Business Unit, takes over from Gouldie as Chief Customer Sales, Service and Distribution Officer at MTN SA. Philisiwe Sibiya, Executive in Group Finance, is the new Chief Financial Officer of MTN SA.

The MTN Group President and CEO, Mr. Sifiso Dabengwa, who was a former CEO of MTN Nigeria, said the group has a strong leadership bench strength, stressing that as part of its talent management and leadership development, MTN invests significantly towards building a sustainable supply of quality leaders.

“We are therefore pleased to make these announcements drawn from our leadership succession pool,” he declared.

Mike Ikpoki we know:

Responding to this appointment, Chief Executive Officer, Telecom Answers Associates, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, told DigitalSENSE Business News exclusively that certainly the naming of a Nigerian the CEO of MTN Nigeria, though much awaited was not coming late and gave MTN Group kudos for realizing the resourcefulness in Nigerian professionals.

“In fact, it is to the credit of the MTN Group if we consider that the company came into this market barely 11 years ago and started drawing locals into its net. If in 11 years, one has risen to the top post not only in Nigeria but also in other smaller networks as far back as a few years, I think it is commendable,” he said.

In addition, Omo-Ettu said that the Mike Ikpoki whom the industry knows also deserves this appointment all-round; known to be suave, very calculating, unassuming and imagining he must have been goal-getting to have risen to this position a few years ago, when he was named the CEO of MTN Ghana. He recalled that when Ikpoki moved from NCC, his capabilities could be attested to at such tender positions.

“We should begin to see an improving labour relation in that sector especially now that the locals there know that sky is their limit. It is also good for the entire industry as it becomes clear that other operators cannot claim that good materials are far from this shore. Of course, there are several other materials we know who are also deserving of appointments like this in virtually everywhere in the industry.

Congratulating Mr. Ikpoki, Omo-Ettu advised “It is easier to get to the top than it is to remain there.”

Better late than never:

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Group Chief Executive, Teledom Group International while congratulating Mike Ikpoki on this latest appointment pointed out that it is part of the industry clamour for Nigerian content development and patronage.

“As I always say, local content include software, hardware, physical structures, integrated technology to deliver specific solutions and last, but not the least, Nigerian expertise and competencies,” he said.

MTN, Ekuwem said, has demonstrated support for Nigerian content by appointing a Nigerian as CEO of MTN Nigeria in furtherance of this last component of Nigerian content development and patronage.

He told DigitalSENSE Business News that whether it has come or not come too late, adding that what is important now in the heart-warming development is that it has come. “It is better late than never,” he declared.

Appointment timely:

Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) told DigitalSENSE Business News that appointment of Michael Ikpoki as CEO, MTN Nigeria came at the right time. Pointing out that at the early stage of the introduction of GSM technology in Nigeria, very few Nigerians probably had the capacity to manage such a big technology company.

“I believe a good number of Nigerians are sufficiently empowered now to take on such responsibilities. The appointment also came when there is a need to combine good management skill with knowledge of local terrain.

On his expectations from Ikpoki, ATCON president looks forward for him to deliver value to the people who appointed him and to the Nigerian consumers. By this, Ajayi said, other similar companies will have the confidence to trust Nigerians with such a huge responsibility.

Credence to MTN’s talent development:

The Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, in his reaction declared that the first appointment of a Nigerian, Mr. Michael Ikpoki as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria lends credence to the company’s resolve to build local talent.

He told DigitalSENSE Business News this “Underscores the strength of our leadership development strategy and leadership succession pool,” recalling that Michael Ikpoki is the first Nigerian CEO of the company. Ikpoki is an experienced lawyer, seasoned business executive and golf enthusiast and was until his recent appointment, the CEO of MTN Ghana.

He replaced Brett Goschen, who has been redeployed to the role of MTN Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director on the Group Board.

“This is indeed a strong reflection of the MTN talent management creed; Management’s commitment to it and the quality and abundance of talent in MTN Nigeria, having regard to the status of MTN Nigeria as the biggest operating company within the MTN Group,” Goodluck said.

He reiterated that the new CEO started his career in telecoms with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and after six years with the NCC joined MTN Nigeria as a Regulatory Advisor in 2001 and rose through the ranks accompanied with quality training, capacity building and exposure that are inherent in the company’s employee value proposition.

Later, he said, Ikpoki became the General Manager, Regulatory Affairs in 2004. Two years later, in 2006, he was appointed General Manager, Sales and Distribution and in 2007, the Sales and Distribution Executive for MTN Nigeria.

His appointment as CEO of MTN Ghana in April 2011 made him the first Nigerian in the MTN Group to attain this height, but as of today, he is however, not the only one, as indeed, only a few months after Ikpoki was appointed CEO of MTN Ghana, another Nigerian, Mr. Karl Toriola, was also appointed CEO of MTN Cameroun. Just as several other Nigerians have since gone on to hold strategic positions across various MTN operations.

Last line:

It is good that a Nigerian has been promoted to the post of CEO, MTN Nigeria and one who has proved himself over the years, but as could be obtained in some major offices, he needs the support of all Nigerians in MTN Group and those in MTN Nigeria particularly so as to avoid any banana peel capable of stalling the progress made so far in repositioning one of the Nigerian brands for the world to see, while he must shun any form of confusion and remain focus and gracious as confessed by those who know him.

DigitalSENSE Business News joins Nigerians in congratulating Mike Ikpoki with a prayer for a successful tenure as the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria.

Although its often said that prophets are not worthy of recognition in their country, but with the favour MTN Group found in Michael Ikpoki, it is important that Nigerians should also accord him same, for his dream of leading the ever-growing mobile company to the next level of growth.

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Internet Society elects Robert Hinden BoT chair

Mr. Hinden, newly ISOC board chair:

Software expert, Mr. Robert Hinden has been elected the Internet Society (ISOC) Board of Trustees (BoT) at its recent meeting in Berlin, Germany, to further champion its strategic direction in support of the organization’s mission of preserving the open, global Internet.

Hinden, is a Check Point Fellow at Check Point Software; a co-inventor of IPv6; a member of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC); and he co-chairs the IPv6 working group (6MAN) at the IETF.

Previously at Nokia, he was a Nokia Fellow, Chief Internet Technologist at Nokia Networks, and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at the Nokia Internet Protocol (IP) Routing Group.

Responding on his election, Mr. Hinden said ISOC serves a pivotal role in the world, with its vital work as a global leader on Internet policy, technical, economic, and social matters, and as the organizational home to the IETF.

“It is a privilege to serve as the chair of the Board of this organization. We have a very international Board, all united by a passion for ensuring the Internet remains free and open for future generations,” he said. 

However, the Board expressed its appreciation to outgoing Chair Eva Frölich, who was the first female Chair and provided tremendous leadership since being elected in July 2012. 

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that Ms Frolich joined the ISOC Board of Trustees in 2010 and served as Treasurer for the first two years.

For her, it has been an honor to work with the Internet Society and to serve as Chair during the past year, adding that the Internet Society is well-positioned to continue to make an impact on the issues that are critical to the Internet’s future development. 

The BoT also appointed by the following groups: Chapters, Organization Members, and the IETF. The results of the 2013 Board elections were that the chapters re-elected Narelle Clark to a three-year term;  Organization Members re-elected Jason Livingood and elected new Board member, Désirée Miloshevic, 

both to three-year terms.

The current members of the Internet Society Board of Trustees therefore are Alain P. Aina, Managing Director at Technologies Reséaux & Solutions and Special Projects Manager at AFRINIC (the Internet Address Registry for Africa); Eric Burger, Research Professor of Computer Science, and Director, Security and Software Engineering Research Center at Georgetown University; Narelle Clark, Deputy CEO, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network; President of the Internet Society Australian Chapter, Keith Davidson, International Director, InternetNZ.

Equally, Mr. Raúl Echeberría, the Executive Director & CEO of LACNIC (the Internet Address Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean) was elected into the BoT alongside David Farber, Distinguished Career Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, Jason Livingood, Vice President of Internet & Communications Engineering, Comcast; Désirée Miloshevic, Senior Advisor, Public Policy and International Affairs, Afilias.

Other members of the board include Lynn St. Amour, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Society; serves as ex-officio and as a non-voting Trustee; Theresa Swinehart, Executive Director, Global Internet Policy, Verizon Communications, Rudi Vansnick, President of Internet Society Belgium, Bert Wijnen, Research engineer at RIPE-NCC in the Netherlands

During the meeting, the Board of Trustees re-elected Scott Bradner as Secretary. Mr. Bradner has dedicated many years of outstanding service to the Internet Society, serving on the Board of Trustees from 1993-1999 and as Secretary since 2003. The Board also re-elected Lynn St. Amour as President and Jason Livingood as Treasurer. 

“As a global organization, we value the rich diversity and broad range of perspectives of our Trustees,” said Lynn St. Amour, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Society. “We deeply appreciate the Board’s commitment to our Mission and their unwavering support of our vision of an Internet that is open and accessible for everyone.”

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China Unicom links subscriber growth to 3G

The Chinese second biggest operator, China Unicom, may have attributed its growth in the last six months of 2013 to growth in its Third Generation (3G) subscriber-base that is in excess of 100 million currently, DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

According to the MobileWorld reports, the company having 262.17 million subscribers in total, means that its 3G subscribers made up 38.15 per cent of its total.

Also, the company revealed a net profit of CNY5.32 billion ($868.62 million) for the year, up 55 per cent over H1 2012, on revenue of CNY144.31 billion, up 18.6 per cent.

Equally, the mobile revenue of China Union was reported to have increased by 26.2 per cent to CNY100.65 billion, making up 69 per cent of its total, with fixed-line revenue up 4.2 per cent to CNY43.29 billion.

In addition, the service revenue was CNY116.48 billion, up 13.8 per cent. Service revenue from the mobile unit was CNY72.85 billion, up 20.5 per cent, with 3G making up 56.2 per cent of the total – an increase from 44.5 per cent in the first half of 2012.

The company in a press statement said it had “proactively promoted [an] integrated mobile operation and accelerated 2G/3G integrated development to drive the scale business growth”.

The company said that to support future growth it has enhanced its network capabilities “with a focus on network architecture as well as mobile, broadband and transmission networks, so as to strengthen its network advantages in broadband and mobile internet.”

During the period, the company added 33,000 new 3G base stations, and added HSPA+ 21Mb/s across its whole network, with 42Mb/s support at “some urban hot spot areas.”

Away from its mobile operation, the company said that broadband upgrades were driving the steady growth in fixed line revenue, with broadband service revenue increasing by 10.4 per cent year-on-year to CNY22.58 billion, to make up more than 50 per cent of fixed line revenue.

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i-Connect Bus seeks your vote

Nigerian software company, the Future Software Resources Ltd, is seeking votes in support of its i-Connect Bus project for the Global Innovation through Science & Technology Competition (GISTTech) says the Executive Director, Mrs Nkemdilim Begho.

Disclosing this to DigitalSENSE Business News, Mrs. Begho in an appeal letter to friends, families and clients, said that i-Connect Bus project has made it into the top 90 of the contest, noting that i-Connect Bus is a project that focuses on changing the face of education in Nigeria as they hope to extend this initiative across Africa.

“We have just made it into the TOP 90 of the Global Innovation through Science & Technology Competition,” stressing that the project making it to the next round depends largely on the number of votes it gets online, “so we need your vote.”

She explained the process of voting is by visiting i-Connect Bus and clicking on the big blue thumbs up and vote for this project.

“You can vote more than once. So, please vote, vote and vote,” she declared.

Mrs. Begho further solicited those keen in driving this vote for i-Connect Bus to use the project cover picture on Facebook for the next 1 week.

“To help us raise awareness and get all your friends to do the same and of course vote, vote and vote,” she said, adding that this would help her team put African Tech and sustainable solutions from Africans for Africans on the Map.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that the ‎iConnect Project is a concept for a mobile ICT suite for schools without ICT Labs and has 40-50 computers on board which could be shared by up to 4 schools.

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Webster University gets green light on Accra Campus

The Ghana’s Ministry of Education has accredited Webster University’s long-awaited new campus in Accra, Ghana, following a rigorous review, DigitalSENSE Business News can authoritatively reveal.

DigitalSENSE Business News also gathers that the University is now in the process of securing approval for the Ghana location from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), noting that since 1925, Webster University has been accredited by HLC, a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and one of six regional accreditors of institutions of higher education in the U.S. Once approved, Webster University graduates from Ghana will earn degrees recognized by both U.S. and Ghanaian accreditors. 

According to Webster’s President, Elizabeth J. Stroble, the University has selected graduate and undergraduate programmes for the Ghana campus based on interest of students and employers in the region.

The first graduate programme, she said, would be a Master of Business Administration and undergraduate programmes include international business, international relations, and media communications.

“As a truly global university, Webster has embraced the ideals and impact of globalism over nearly a century of growth,” she said, stressing that based on the history of meeting unmet needs by taking education to where it is most needed now takes root in Ghana.

“We look forward to partnering with Ghanaians to build the capacity for individuals and communities there and across the Webster global network to prosper in an increasingly connected world,” she said.

In addition to Ghana and its North American locations, Webster University also has campuses in Austria, China, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

To make the Ghana location a reality, Webster University partnered with WadiDegla Holding Company based in Cairo, Egypt.

“WadiDegla’s strategy has successfully resulted in creating a bouquet of multifaceted operations encompassing everything from sports facilities, telecommunications and real estate developments and other business fields in various locations around the world with a strong presence in Ghana since 2005,” said Adel Samy, President of WadiDegla. “WadiDegla strongly believes in building lifetime relationships with customers and partners and is looking forward for other common projects in the future.”

“We have a proven track record of working in partnership – locally and globally – with governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to deliver relevant academic programs that lead to career mobility around the world,” said Webster University Provost, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Julian Schuster. “We are fortunate to have a strong network of accomplished alumni around the world, including in Ghana, who help make our strategic vision reality.

“Webster University is defining what it means to be globally connected in today’s world,” he added. “And, collaboration, outreach and presence are key.”

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Symantec records N272.8bn in quarterly report

Symantec Corporation ended last quarter with revenue record of $1.71bn, about N272.8bn, which ended June 28, 2013, and showed a 2 per cent up in year-over-year and up 3 per cent after adjusting for currency based on the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

President and Chief Executive Officer at Symantec, Steve Bennett expressed his excitement over the performance of the company.

“I’m proud of the team’s performance despite the ongoing work to right-size and transform of the company. I’m also pleased that wedelivered better than expected results,” he said, reiterating his confidence on the team, saying Symantec ahs the right team in place to execute its multi-year roadmaps, implement the critical go-to-market changes and continue to make progress on the successful transformation.

“We achieved better than expected results driven by strength in our backup, information security and endpoint security businesses,” said James Beer, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Symantec.

He pointed out that during a period of planning and significant resource reallocation, they executed well and grew organic revenue by 3 per cent. The magnitude of change we are undertaking is substantial and so as we move increasingly into the implementation phaseof our transformation, we remain cautious on our outlook for the coming quarter.” 

He stated that, GAAP operating margin was 13.1 per cent compared with 15.0 per cent for the same quarter last year.

“Its net income was $157 million compared with net income of $160 million for the year-ago period. Deferred revenue as of June 28, 2013, was $3.812 billion compared with $3.745 billion as of June 29, 2012, up 2 percent year-over-year and up 3 percent after adjusting for currency. Cash flow from operating activities was $312 million compared with $340million for the year ago period,” he said.

According to the report, Non-GAAP operating margin was 25.3percent compared with 24.9 percent for the same quarter last year, up 40 basis points year-over-year and up 36 basis points after adjusting for currency. Its Non-GAAP net income was $308million, compared to$297million for the year-ago period, up 4 percent year-over-year.

In alignment with our 4.0 strategy, we created three new business segments.  The User Productivity & Protection segment, which is comprised of endpoint security and management, encryption, and our mobile offerings, represented 43 percent of total revenue and declined1 percentyear-over-year - increased 1 percent after adjusting for currency; to $732 million.

The Information Security segment grew 7 per cent year-over-year (9 per cent after adjusting for currency) to $336 million.  This segment represented 20 percent of total revenue and includes Symantec’s security capabilities such as our mail & web security, authentication services, data center security, Managed Security Services (MSS), hosted security services, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) businesses.

The Information Management segment represented 37 percent of total revenue and grew 4 percentyear-over-year on an actual and currency adjusted basisto $641 million. This segment is comprised of offerings related to backup and recovery, information intelligence, which includes archiving and e-discovery, and information availability, which we previously referred to as storage management.

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FG boosts software development, launches Tinapa IDEA

gov. Imoke:

The Federal Government (FG) has given a boost to the software industry in the country with the launch of the Tinapa Information Technology Developers Entrepreneurship Accelerator (IDEA) Incubation Centre in Calabar, the Cross Rivers state capital.

Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson made this known to DigitalSENSE Business News, last weekend, during the official launch of IDEA, adding that the intervention programme is aimed at accelerating  the development of the software industry in Nigeria by nurturing and helping Nigerian software developers attain global recognition and success.

DigitalSENSE Business News notes that IDEA is collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA and the private sector to facilitate the development of the software industry in Nigeria through the provision of office space, mentoring, software development and testing tools and support grants.

The IDEA center was launched at the Tinapa Knowledge City, Calabar-Cross River State, where Mrs Johnson was represented by the Acting DG of NITDA, Dr Ashiru Sani Daura, who pointed out that the first centre was launched in Lagos on the April 19, 2013.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that the Lagos center has already admitted eight incubates working on innovative solutions relevant to the financial services and oil and gas sectors, while the Tinapa center will provide additional opportunities to software developers especially those focused on media, entertainment and gaming sectors and will complement the Lagos center.

In his remarks at the launch, the executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke said, the IDEA incubation centre at Tinapa Knowledge City is a giant project that is geared toward boosting software development in the state.

He emphasized that the IDEA center established in the state, will develop to the fullest extent to bring about an IT revolution in the state and the South/South region. The Governor urged the private sector to key into the opportunity presented by the center to boost IT development and software development to the fullest. He concluded that it’s only through Public Private participation (PPP) that the younger generation can be fully empowered through software development.

The highlight of the event include the presentation of prizes to winners of the 42 hours Hackathon that had taken place at the center two days before the official launch. Ten teams of software developers that participated in the Hackathon were presented with various prizes. 

Team 2: Le-media come first, Team 5: Educare second, while team 8: Health pad came third in the software development competition. Also software developers from across Nigeria were in attendance and showcased different innovative products.

The launch had in attendance the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, Mr. Dotun Suileman chairman of IDEA, Dr Chris Uwaje president Institute of Software practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Her Excellency Ambassador Nkoyo-Toyo, Hon member representing Odukpani/Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of representative.

The launch was also witnessed by the deputy Governor and Secretary to the Cross Rivers State Government, members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Commissioners, and Special Advisers.

Remmy Nweke/DigitalSENSE Business News
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ICANN unveils report on Dotless Domain Names

ICANN has unveiled the publication on the Dotless Domain Name Security and Stability Study Report by IT Security firm, Carve Systems LLC (Carve Systems) as prepared by the trio: Mike Zusman, Jeremy Allen, Rajendra Umadas.

Dotless domain names are those that consist of a single label (e.g., http://example, or mail@example). Dotless names would require the inclusion of, for example, an A, AAAA, or MX, record in the apex of a Top Level Domain (TLD) zone in the Domain Name System (DNS), that is the record relates to the TLD-string itself.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that on 23 February 2012, the ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) published SAC 053: SSAC Report on Dotless Domains, stressing that that dotless domains would not be universally reachable and recommended strongly against their use.

As a result, the SSAC recommended that the use of DNS resource records such as A, AAAA, and MX in the apex of a Top-Level Domain (TLD) should be contractually prohibited where appropriate, and strongly discouraged in all cases.

Also, on 23 June 2012, the ICANN Board adopted resolution 2012.06.23.09 tasking ICANN to consult with the relevant communities regarding implementation of the recommendations in SAC053.

August 24, 2012 saw ICANN staff publishing the SAC053 Report for public comment which requested input to consider in relation to implementing the recommendations of the SSAC report. Hence, public comment period was opened and subsequently closed on 5 November 2012.

On 27 November 2012 the staff posted a report of the public comments that showed a substantial number of comments both in favor of adopting the SSAC recommendations as well in opposition to the recommendations.

In May of 2013 ICANN commissioned a study on the stability and security implications of dotless domain name functionality to help ICANN prepare an Implementation plan for the SAC053 recommendations.

The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) on July 10, 2013 released a statement on dotless domain names, recommending against the use of dotless domain names for TLDs.

However, on 29 July 2013 Carve Systems delivered their report to ICANN, which seem consistent with the SSAC report; the Carve Systems report identifies security and stability issues that require mitigation before gTLDs can safely implement dotless domain names.

The Carve Systems report identifies several risks, ten (10) of which are considered key risks that dotless domain names pose.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that in consistent with SSAC's SAC 053 recommendation, a contracted gTLD wishing to operate as dotless domain name must submit a proposal to be evaluated as part of the standard Registry Services Evaluation Process (RSEP).

Just as Section 2.2.3.3 of the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) prohibits the use of dotless domain names prior to approval by ICANN, stating that the only permissible DNS Resource Records for the apex in a TLD zone are: Start of Authority (SOA), Name Server (NS), and related DNSSEC records.

The same section also states: "An applicant wishing to place any other record types into its TLD zone should describe in detail its proposal in the registry services section of the application. This will be evaluated and could result in an extended evaluation to determine whether the service would create a risk of a meaningful adverse impact on security or stability of the DNS."

DigitalSENSE Business News further gathered that the ICANN Board New gTLD Program Committee (NGPC) will consider dotless domain names and an appropriate risk mitigation approach at its upcoming meeting in August.

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CommTech perspective to Internet Governance by Johnson

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has enumerated her ministerial perspective to the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum 2013.

Mrs. Johnson

She made this known to DigitalSENSE Business News at the forum held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre; Abuja, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 on “Internet Governance for Empowerment, National Integration Security through Multistakeholders’ Engagement.”

She commended the efforts of the Local Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Group (LMAG) to harmonise the various positions each hold with respect to digital inclusion and integration; building trust, confidence and assurance on the Internet; policy and regulatory model for the Internet; and encouraging local research on Internet development in Nigeria; as well as addressing infrastructural challenges in the cashless society.

The aforementioned, she said, are indeed important issues and ones that the Ministry itself has been working towards solving.

“We have made gains in reducing the digital divide and are increasing digital inclusion and integration. Initiatives such as the Rural Broadband Initiative have seen an extension of broadband infrastructure in rural areas,” she said.

Various initiatives on the provision of public access venues have seen the establishment in total of over 2,300 e-Libraries, Community Communication Centres and Rural IT Centres across the country.

“We have also made students a priority, expanding access in our schools and tertiary institutions; testing of a fibre-optic network connecting 27 Federal Universities is on-going and the National Research and Education Network (NgREN) will be formally launched next month,” she said.

Correspondent/DigitalSENSE Business News
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N7.9m Google RISE up for grabs

The Google's Roots in Science and Engineering (RiSE) awards for 2014 worth $50,000, about N7.9m is now up for grabs, according to officials.

The grant known as Google RISE Awards was designed to promote and support education initiatives to increase engagement in science and technology, especially computer science.

DigitalSENSEBusiness News gathers that Google grants awards of $15,000 - $50,000 USD to non-for-profit organizations around the world working to expand access to these fields for K-12/Pre-University students, specifically girls and underrepresented groups.

In 2013, 30 organizations received RISE grants with projects ranging from robotics contests in Germany to programming challenge days for girls in New Zealand.

In June, Google brought all of its partners together for a Global Summit, meant to inspire the meeting, and since the Summit several organizations have begun to work together to expand their reach.

For example, our RISE partners in Nigeria, WAAW Foundation and W-TEC, have teamed up to organize a one-week residential Advanced STEM Camp. The programme launched this week would provide 27 public school girls exposure to robotics.

In Argentina, an organization already connecting Belgium to Argentina is now collaborating with another on programming workshops for students and teachers.

And organizations in Liberia and India are sharing resources to overcome common challenges in access to technology for girls.

Interested organizations for the Google RISE 2014 can check the eligibility of their countries website and by showing what they could do to get students excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science!

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Cross Ownership: Vodafone may dispose N 159.3 stake in Bharti Airtel

The Vodafone Group may soon dispose its indirect 4.4 per cent stake in Indian rival Bharti Airtel, worth an estimated $1 billion, about N159,311,773,140.04 in order to comply with new rules about cross ownership among mobile operators, reports MobileWorldLive.com

The Report has it that the new rules say no carrier can hold a direct or indirect stake in a rival operating in the same service area. The rules apply across the country’s 22 licensing ‘circles.’

DigitalSENSE Business News notes that Bharti and Vodafone are the India’s number one and two operators respectively. Just as the new rules on cross shareholding was proclaimed last Friday.

Current rules allow cross ownership of up to 9.9 per cent, but operators must move across to the new rules when their existing licenses expire, even as they would have one year to sell off any stakes held in rivals.

As reported by Economic Times, Vodafone’s licenses in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are expected to expire towards the last quarter of 2014, whereas the operator’s license for Madhya Pradesh is due in 2027.

DigitalSENSE Business News calls to mind that the Indian government proposed the idea of eliminating cross shareholdings among mobile operators to eliminate the possibility of cartel-like behaviour. It is concerned about operators acting in this way, for instance during a spectrum auction.

The fears seem imperative after the inability of an auction last November.

Remmy Nweke with agency reports

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Buyright Africa unveils 1yr anniversary promo

Buyright Africa dotcom, a leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lifestyle products distribution company has unveiled its first anniversary promo.

Mukoro, MD BuyRight Africa.com

According to the Managing Director of Buyright Africa Dotcom, Mr. Emomine Mukoro, the promo was designed to give consumers a feel of the latest technology in the past year.

He noted that the promo packaged like a technology fair, offers up to 75 per cent discount on a wide range of ICT products; desktops, laptops, printers, cameras, and phones.

Also, he said that on display are Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), surge arrests routers, and networking materials.

He explained that coming about the middle of the year, the African ICT promo keys into several cultures that drive the demand for ICT in sub Saharan Africa; Half Year Review for corporate organizations, return to school, and the festive period of Ramadan.

This promo, Mukoro confirmed to DigitalSENSE Business News, is being supported by all the reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) namely HP, Dell, Zinox, Toshiba, Samsung, Huawei, Canon, Microsoft, Lenovo, LG, IBM, and APC by Schneider.

“The promo is running exclusively at 13B Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, Lagos to achieve the goal of a unique technology experience for the customer,” he said,

Emphasising that the way it is conceptualized, a venue would be chosen for the African ICT promo every year which means that the offers and discounts do not apply globally to Buyright Africa.

“This promo is just more than the usual picking up of discounted products, it goes further by creating opportunities for organizations to structure staff ownership schemes; for SMEs to work out LPO financing; for NGOs, training outfits and corporate persons to lease equipment up to 1,000 units for 3 years,” Mr. Mukoro said, urging schools, corporate organizations, churches, NGOs and all who desire quality and affordable ICT products to take advantage of the 1st Annual African ICT Promo to achieve their ICT objectives.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that Buyright Africa Dotcom, is a major player in the ICT online market established in 2012 to enable Africa build technological strength that allows their citizens, governments and businesses compete with the best in the world.

In addition, the company, which opened shop simultaneously in 12 States of the federation, focuses primarily at the educational sector, small businesses and governments at all levels. Buyright Africa offers a broad range of high quality products including ICT equipment.   

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