World fish trade sets new records, targets 70m tonnes

The booming world fish trade is generating more wealth than ever before, but countries must help small-scale fishers and fish farmers benefit too, just as global fishery production records 160 million tones, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) confide in NaijaAgroNet that worldwide fishery production from wild capture fisheries and aquaculture is expected to set a new record in 2013 at 160 million tonnes, up from 157 million tonnes the previous year, while exports will reach $136 billion.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that the preliminary data published ahead of the FAO Sub-Committee on Fish Trade meeting in Bergen, Norway, shows that the record trade figures reflect the strong growth in aquaculture output and the high prices for a number of species such as salmon and shrimp.

Chief of FAO’s Products, Trade and Marketing Branch, Audun Lem, said that this has been underpinned by firm underlying demand for fish products from world markets.

Aquaculture production, he noted, is expected to hit about 67 million tonnes in 2012 and projections for 2013 point towards fish farmers producing 70 million tones, which is 44 per cent of total fishery output and 50 per cent of fish for direct human consumption.

“The proportion of fish production being traded internationally is significant, at around 37 percent in 2013. This makes the fisheries sector one of the most globalized and dynamic industries in world food production,” Lem said.

Sherif Ayilara/PR/GEE

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Cisco highlights 2014’s disruptive trends in technology

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The first-ever Technology Radar study by Cisco made available to DigitalSENSE Business News, on Wednesday, highlighted some key trends set to redefine businesses and life across the continent of Africa as 2014 gains momentum, just as growth of connected ‘things’ will reach $212 billion

The study, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered was based on intelligence assembled by over 70 global technology ‘scouts,’ focusing on independent of current product roadmaps or business unit priorities.

As disclosed by Head, Architectures and Enterprise, Cisco Emerging Markets, Mr. Den Sullivan, the key trends set to make a mark in 2014 include Context Aware Computing, Machine-to-Machine Connections, Browser Based Video & Collaboration, Video Mega Trends, Building the Next Internet with new Architectures, Security and Mobile Device Management.

Also, he said that driving all of these is the Internet of Everything (IoE) – the interconnections of people, processes, data, and things – which Cisco believes represents a $19 trillion opportunity, globally, over the next decade ($14.4 trillion in the private sector and $4.6 trillion in the public sector). By 2020, Cisco reports that the growth of connected “things” will reach 212 billion.

“IT organizations across the Africa need to prepare for the Internet of Everything (IoE), and what we are now seeing is the emergence of an Application Economy where the focus will no longer be simply on the hardware, but also on supporting a larger number of applications on all connected devices,” said Den Sullivan, Head of Architectures and Enterprise, Cisco Emerging Markets.

“Big changes now need to take place to make sense of exponentially increasing and varied types of data coming in from devices ranging from Smartphone applications to information generated a city’s infrastructure,” he said.

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Pix: L-R; Mr. Bola Adegbonmire, Unified Collaboration Architectural Play Team Africa, Cisco; Den Sullivan

Head of Architectures and Enterprise, Emerging Markets, Cisco and Mr. Kunle Oloruntimehin, Manager, Systems Engineering Sales, Cisco at the Cisco Tech Radar Media Roundtable which held at Cisco’s Office, VI, Lagos.

2.3 GHz auction: BitFlux beats Globacom, NCC gets applause

DigitalSENSE Business News:

BitFlux has beaten the second national operator, Globacom Limited to win the 2.3 Gega Hertz (GHz) auction conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, DigitalSENSE Business News can authoritatively reports.

This is coming as stakeholders commend NCC for the successful round of auction.

Bitflux, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered is a consortium of three companies, namely VDT Communications Limited, Superflux Group and BitCom Group which is the parent company of VDT.

Announcing the outcome of the auction formally, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah congratulated the two bidders; Glo and Bitflux, stressing that they have shown sportsmanship throughout the auction process which began with submission of expression of interest.

He commended Glo for loosing gallantly and applauded Bitflux for steadfastness and eventual emergence as a winner of the 2.3 GHz by bidding

Bitflux won with the sum of 23,251,000 USD at exactly 11:50am on February 19 at the close of 00:06 hours, 49 seconds, against Globacom’s bid which was a little over 23,000,000 USD.

Speaking the President of Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Mr. Lanre Ajayi commended NCC management and staff for proving themselves worthy of Nigerian ambassadors and urged other Federal Government institutions and organizations to emulate NCC, which he said, has gone beyond building individuals to a system-based organisatioon.

Former president of ATCON and Group Chief Executive Officer, Teledom International Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem reiterated Mr. Ajayi, saying that more Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should leverage on this kind of transparency to advance the international rating of Nigeria.

Reacting, Messrs Abiodun Omoniyi and Tokunbo Talabi who stood in for the Bitflux consortium could not hide their excitement, giving glory to God and commended NCC for a transparent exercise and Glo for being magnanimous in accepting defeat and outcome of the exercise.

Remmy Nweke in Abuja
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Pix: Messrs Abiodun Omoniyi and Tokunbo Talabi 

Nigeria can’t meet 24m target on digital migration by 2015 - Southwood

DigitalSENSE Business News:

It is very unlikely that Nigeria, the most populous nation on the continent of Africa will meet self set target of deploying 24 million set-top boxes by the end of middle of 2015, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The chief executive officer, Balancing Act, Mr. Russell Southwood, made these assertions in Lagos at the one-day Digital Broadcasting Roundtable, hosted by the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN).

He noted that it has been three years since Nigeria multi-stakeholder Digital Task Force submitted its report.

He pointed out that until now Nigeria has been able to achieve 1.5 million out of 24m project with the intervention of Star Times through a collaboration with the National Television Authority (NTA), stressing that “Nigeria now has 3 years to go from 1.5 m to 24m. Unlikely in 18 months left.”

Natioonal Broadcasting Commission (NBC), he said, should ensure speedy approval of policy to give certainty and level playing field.

Southwood advised Nigerian government to give priority issues of digital migration by not allowing a single player the opportunity to entrench itself in a dominant position before opening up the market.

“Allow a realistic timetable even if it doesn’t meet the 2015 timetable,” he said.

Chuks Egbuna/GEE/EDops

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Why Ahmed-Rufia was sacked

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Leading to the appointment of Ms Abimbola Alale as the acting managing director of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd, investigations have revealed some of the reasons for the sacking of former MD, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

According to investigations by DigitalSENSE Business News Mr. Ahmed-Rufai’s sack was not unconnected from misappropriation of funds of the organisation.

Although the head, Corporate Communications, NigComSAT, Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore could not dispute correspondent findings, he maintained that the decision to send Mr. Ahmed-Rufia on indefinite leave, was to pave the way for investigations as directed by the Communications Technology Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson.

He pointed out that based on this directive, the Board of Directors of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd had asked the embattled Managing Director, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai to proceed on indefinite leave.

“This directive is to pave way for an investigation into the financial status of the company,” he told 

DigitalSENSE Business News.

Accordingly, Ms Abimbola Alale, the Executive Director in charge of Marketing, was named Acting Managing Director, pending the conclusion of the investigation, which industry watchers said is terminal leave for hard-standing former managing director.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that in recent times, Mr. Ahmed-Rufai has had a running battle with the supervising ministry on what was alleged as reckless spending and utterance from the former NigComSAT boss, which is in contrast with his position.

Ahmed-Rufai is purported to have extensive experience in both private and public sectors started as Project Manager of NigComSat-1 before the establishment of NIGCOMSAT Limited in April 2006, when he was named Managing Director and Chief Executive.

Equally, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that Ms Alale began her career in NigComSAT as a member of the Project team and was appointed Director of Marketing of NIGCOMSAT Limited in 2006 and rose to the position of Executive Director Marketing until her current appointment as Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Remmy Nweke

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Pix: Ahmed-Rufai

Airtel partners NUGA games 2014

DigitalSENSE Sports:

Airtel Nigeria is partnering with the local organising committee of the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) in the ongoing games at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from February 12 to 22, 2014, reports DigitalSENSE Sports.

Also gathered by DigitalSENSE Sports, Airtel partnership in this regard is in keeping with its tradition of delighting its existing and prospective customers through a rich line of products and offerings, will offer participants at the Games telecoms experiences covering voice and data services.

The Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava, confirmed to DigitalSENSE Sports that it reflects Airtel’s belief in the younger generation, and as well demonstrates its commitment to helping them succeed through the creation of unique and measurable platforms.

“Nigeria is a sports loving nation, and the NUGA games has a rich history of producing talents that have brought honour and glory to country in various sports fields. It has engaged itself with the unenviable, but worthwhile task of unearthing many raw talents that this nation is blessed with, ” he said, stressing Airtela and NUGA share the same vision and commitment to the development of the younger generation of this nation.

This vision, he said has seen Airtel’s involvement with ARS, Big Brother Africa, Nigeria’s Got Talent, Apple Developer Challenge, the Young Manager with CIPM, to name a few.

He urged participants and lovers of sports to take the advantage of the NUGA games to treat themselves to the best possible telecoms experience on offer in the country.

The NUGA Games, founded in 1965, is abi-annual inter-university sports competition.

The ongoing 2014 edition would feature participation in 15 sporting events by some 600 undergraduates from 60 Nigerian Universities made up of public and private.

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Nokia unveils Lumia1520 @Social Media Week'14

DigitalSENSE Business News

Nokia West Africa on Monday in Lagos unveiled its latest in stock, Nokia Lumia 1520 and Lumia 1320 as part of events to herald the opening of the 2014 Social Media Week, alongside Maggi, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Speaking at the dinner launch, Head, Nokia Care, West and Central Africa, Mr. Kola Osinowo disclosed to DigitalSENSE Business News that Nokia Lumia 1520 is a first in its shelf with six- inches smartphone screen.

He enjoined participants at the social media week to have fun, savour exquisite food and share their experience through photography with friends, stressing that the event was a way to engage its customers through firsthand experience of the brand, Nokia, tagged ‘Eat, Shoot, Repeat.’

Osinowo elucidated that Lumia 1520, Nokia’s top of the range Windows Phone is packed with a 6 inch 1080p Full HD screen, 20MP PureView camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and most importantly, the Story teller application which allows people tell stories of places they’ve visited using pictures.

The application, he said, brings stories to live seamlessly and merges two Lumia signature experiences: PureView Imaging and HERE maps, which allow users to relive their photos in a new, dynamic and interactive way.

Speaking on both devices, Mr Olumide Balogun, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Nokia West and Central Africa, noted that the introduction of the Lumia 1520 and Lumia 1320 will revolutionize the Smart phone market and boost Nokia’s competitive edge in the "phablet" category. He added that both devices are designed with the latest “Lumia Black” software which is an update of the windows 8 operating system.

“Both devices come pre-installed with business and productivity applications and a unique new photography application called the Storyteller app which allows people tell stories of places they’ve visited using pictures. The Storyteller App seamlessly merges two Lumia signature experiences, PureView Imaging and HERE maps, to allow users relive their photos in a new, dynamic and interactive way,” he said.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that Nokia is the global headline sponsor for the 2014 Social Media Week, a leading media platform and event with global reach across five continents.

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L-R: Nollywood actor, Uti Nwachukwu; Retail Customer Marketing Manager, Olajide Adeyemi; Head of Marketing, Debbie Shepard; Consumer Engagement Manager, Mayor Esiaba, all of Nokia West & Central Africa at the Nokia/Maggi Food Photography Night held to celebrate the launch of Nokia Lumia 1520 and Lumia 1320 during the Social Media Week at Terra Kulture.

Zinox backs out of 2.3GHz spectrum auction

 DigitalSENSE Business News:

A member of Zinox Group, the Zinox Telecommunications has confirmed its backing out of the ongoing exercise of 2.3 Gega Hertz (GHz) spectrum auction by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

Disclosing this latest standing, a top official of Zinox Group, confided in DigitalSENSE Business News that the group took this position to avoid unwarranted distraction and invariably focus on its core end to service delivery.

The 2.3GHz spectrum auction DigitalSENSE Business News gathered was recently opened to new entrants as well as companies operating in the telecommunications market in Nigeria and abroad by the NCC.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that Zinox Telecommunications had expressed interest in the auction of the 2.3GHz spectrum, a frequency band touted to possess the potentials to foster penetration of high speed Internet services across the country.

Reconfirming this development on Zinox withdrawal from the exercise, the Corporate Communications Adviser to Zinox Group, Mr. Uche Nnadozie told DigitalSENSE Business News that the company has withdrawn from the auction.

“There was a last minute decision by the company’s board which discouraged the management from the bid. The board argues that 2.3GHz license will divert attention from our core competence,” he said, stressing Zinox is reputed as an end-to-end solutions service provider in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

“So, the advice of the board is that we should focus on our core competence. You also know, we have a hub here in Nigeria,” he declared in a press statement made available to DigitalSENSE Business News.

Further, DigitalSENSE Business News notes that Zinox had last year relocated her iDirect Internet Evolution Hub to Nigeria in anticipation it would drive a new knowledge economy, though equipped with state of the art facilities.

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Graduate trainees: VDT concludes 2nd batch

DigitalSENSE Business News:

Broadband servicing company, VDT Communications Limited, has concluded the second batch of its graduate Modular Trainee Engineers’ programme, last weekend in Lagos, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Confirming this to DigitalSENSE Business News, the Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. David Ese, quoted the Managing Director and chief executive officer, VDT Communications, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, as saying that the VDT Modular Trainee Engineers’ programme was necessitated by the need to contribute the company’s quota as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility activity, “to reduce the teeming population of unemployed youths in our country”.

Also Mr. Omoniyi said that having identified the challenge, VDT decided to take the bull by the horn by initiating the modular trainee engineers’ programme for fresh graduates in the country, stressing “Advertisement is run annually to get the fresh graduates to apply for the programme."

According to him, there is a selection process involving an assessment test and an interview, due to a large number of applications usually received coupled with limited training facilities. 

“The successful candidates are then enrolled into the programme which last for one year. The programme is completely free of all charges. Rather than charge the trainees, the VDT pays all the candidates a stipend while undergoing the training,” he explained.

Further, Omoniyi emphasized that the company even goes beyond the training, by offering jobs to a number of successful trainees depending on the available vacancies.

On the impact of the programme, Omoniyi said that already, VDT has received success stories from other organizations, as some of the trainee engineers have proved to be among the best considered for employment.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that VDT Communications is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company and winner of several awards including the ‘Bulk Internet Provider 2011 and 2012’ and ‘Wireless Backhaul Provider 2009 and 2010,’ provides digital leased circuit, wireless network and corporate internet services.

Further, DigitalSENSE Business News notes that VDT prides itself as operating one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in the country, mostly by the convergence of multiple networks into one.

VDT is also reputed for network infrastructural design, structured towards providing a broad range of end-to-end efficient and reliable Internet Protocol (IP)-based data and voice communications services across West Africa while building a long term, trusted partnership with its clienteles.

Remmy Nweke

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

Pix: MD/CEO of VDT Communications Ltd, Biodun Omoniyi (Middle), flanked by the graduating engineers (L-R) Olayinka Amos, Ayansola Seun, Aderonke Adekanbi, Justina Ugherughe, Musa Halliru and Olufemi Omoware, during the graduation ceremony of the 2^nd batch of the organisation’s Modular Trainee Engineers’ programme in Ikoyi, Lagos.

3-day meet on Africa digital migration ends in Arusha

DigitalSENSE Business News:

A three-day collaboration between Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the Government of United Republic of Tanzania on “Achieving Africa’s Digital Migration” came to a close today, February 13 in Arusha, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The event officially opened by the Honourable Dr Fenella Mukangara, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports who emphasized the importance of local content production, was attended by some 200 delegates from 26 countries.

Welcoming participants, Professor Unwin, the Secretary-General of the CTO urged delegates to ensure that the transition to Digital terrestrial television (DTTV) is as inclusive as possible.

He warned that the most difficult thing to get right is how to ensure that everyone, and particularly the elderly, the spatially marginalised and those with disabilities, could really benefit from digital switchover.

“I hope that you will all use this opportunity to learn and share – and having participated actively in this Forum will return home, commit to doing something different, and above all ensure that all of our citizens can benefit from digital broadcasting,” Unwin said. 

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that the Digital Broadcasting Switchover Forum Africa is an annual event launched by the CTO in 2005 in South Africa, to provide a platform for knowledge and experience sharing on digital broadcasting switchover for the region. 

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Pix: Left to right: Professor John Nkoma, Director-General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), The Honourable Dr Fenella Mukangara, Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports of Tanzania, and Professor Tim Unwin, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) at the opening of the Arusha event. 

ETNO says it’s time for Internet governance to evolve

 DigitalSENSE Business News:

The European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) has drummed support for the multi-stakeholder model of Internet Governance (IG), even as it acknowledges some imminent changes in the model, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Head of Communications and Media at ETNO, Alessandro Gropelli, told DigitalSENSE Business News that ETNO welcomes the European Commission Communication on Internet Governance published Wednesday and shares the view that the multi-stakeholder model should remain the cornerstone of Internet governance.

Also, Gropelli says they believe there is a need to improve and strengthen the multi-stakeholder dialogue on Internet-related matters and to work towards a clear definition of the roles of public authorities and stakeholders in the debate.

“An evolved governance model should reflect the principles of transparency, accountability and balance and ETNO looks forward to the forthcoming Commission consultation on the formulation of future European Internet governance policies,” Gropelli said.

ETNO, further agrees that on the need to move towards a coherent set of global Internet principles and that the upcoming Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance, hosted by the Brazilian Government in co-operation with other Member States, stressing, it’s a good place to start that debate.

DigitalSENSE Business News reports that sustained efforts are now necessary in order to globalise institutions such as ICANN, which is an important player in the Internet eco-system.

Europe has been a key region for shaping Internet governance after the Tunis conference in 2005 and is best placed to shape its further evolution based on its traditions of democracy, freedom of speech and inclusiveness. It is the main contributor to the global IGF Secretariat and around half of all national IGFs world-wide stem from Europe, showing a vibrant, diverse and multistakeholder-based model of Internet Governance.

ETNO's Chairman Luigi Gambardella said: "We need more Europe in Internet governance, or we won't be able to make an impact at global level. We support the Commission in taking the lead in this process, opening up to stakeholders' participation, and adopt the necessary accompanying legislative measures to help rebuild trust online."

Chuks Egbuna/GEE

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NCS demands inclusion in National Dialogue, prepares for R&D workshop

DigitalSENSE Business News

The umbrella body of Information Technology (IT) professionals in the country, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has faulted the composition of delegates to the forthcoming National Conference announced recently by the Federal Government (FG) with exclusion of the society, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

This is coming as NCS warms up for a three-day research and development workshop to be hosted at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

President, NCS, Prof. David Adewunmi disclosed these to DigitalSENSE Business News during a media chat on Monday at NCS secretariat, saying that the omission will further deepen the already existing gap between Nigeria’s socio-economic development and Information Technology.

He also demanded for recomposition of the delegates to include NCS as the umbrella body of IT professionals in Nigeria, saying that it goes to showed that Nigeria as a nation is missing the path to harnessing the growth opportunity of the IT sector, to strengthen the industries, academia, profession, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.

“There is a glaring need to incorporate and prioritise the role of the IT sector if Nigeria is to be a key player and fulfill its promise in the 21^st century,” he declared.

Stressing that based on the foregoing, it is most imperative and pertinent that the IT profession and industry is represented in the upcoming national conference, wondering how a nation like Nigeria would succeed in 21^st century with building a digital economy and without inputs from IT industry and profession.

NCS, therefore request for the urgent recomposition of the conference delegates to include adequate representation from the Nigeria Computer Society, pointing out that their position was made in the interest of adding value and quality to the process.

“It is a necessity not a luxury for the desired IT-enabled national transformation,” Prof. Adewunmi told DigitalSENSE Business News. Maintaining that NCS under his leadership would continue to show commitment, constructively engage and build strategic partnership with it members as well as stakeholders.

He further said that NCS has embarked on purposeful and rigorous IT research efforts towards nation building with the forthcoming IT research and development workshop in the State of Osun, which offers practical, innovative, useful strategies for people wanting to improve their personal and professional lives through effective research methods.

“Developed for stakeholders in academics, industry and government, the R & D workshop will also build collaborative, purposeful and rigorous research efforts and capacities in IT towards national development,” he said.

Remmy Nweke

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Pix: Moses Braimah, David Adewunmi, Jide Awe and Chinedu Onuoha