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2009 Budget: Each Ministry to Spend N10m on PoS

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Each ministry and department of the federal government is make initial investment of at least N10 million in the deployment of electronic payment system needed to capture all revenues due to the federal government, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can reveal.
This is sequel to pronouncement by President Musa Yar’adua in the 2009 federal budget that payments for goods and services to Ministries, departments and agencies will be paid through the e-payment system to increase efficiency and reduce avenues for corruption.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that for any ministry to receive payment online such agency will be required to deploy point-of-sale terminal at designated locations where people can easily access it.
For a typical federal ministry to deploy customized point-of-sale to effectively to cover the country it should have about 100 terminals, at the cost of N100, 000.
This cost covers telecommunications equipments that will power the terminals, and an additional N30, 000 for consumables including recurrent paper print-out that acknowledges successful transactions.
Government ministries, parastatals and departments could do this in partnership with a card schemes such as Interswitch or Vpay, which deploy and maintain transactions on point-of-sale terminals
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that each agencies are to also design a web base payment point through which its services could be paid for through the internet for card- not present transactions.
However, for effective monitoring the agencies will have to deploy web interface of the card scheme it is partnering with. This will allow the agency or ministry to view transactions as they are been made.
Information Technology stakeholders have at several forum urged government to put its services online as a way to check corruption as well as create job opportunities as people will be patronizing cyber café to transact government business online.
Mr. Lanre Ajayi, president, Nigeria Internet Group, said that the discharge of payment through the e-payment system would facilitate transparency in government as transactions can be captured and well documented, which would go a long way in curbing corrupt practices.
He said the system would help in transforming Nigeria into an information society which is in line with the objectives of the Nigeria Internet Group to promote an e-economy.
Putting services online would ensure that there is audit trail for such transactions, which culminates in efficiency and accountability.
It reduces paper documentation to the barest minimum, which also saves a lot of cost.
However, in deploying these technologies and services, government has to put into consideration, the supply and the demand ends.
“It is not just enough to put those things in place; the demand for them has to be created. In that way, government has to make the use of e-services as well as e-payment compulsory because it would not make sense if those services are there and nobody uses them,” Ajayi said.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged collusion between commercial banks and government officials to re-loot recovered funds from Sani Abacha, late dictator.

Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

Sani Abacha

The $322 million Abacha loot, recovered in December 2017 and earmarked for Conditional Cash Transfer under the Social Investment Programme, was intended to provide monthly stipends to vulnerable Nigerians.

However, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, disclosed that investigations have uncovered financial malpractices involving COVID-19 funds and World Bank-assisted loans coordinated by the Humanitarian Ministry. Several interdicted and suspended officials of the ministry have been linked to the alleged malfeasance, with N32.7 billion and $445,000 recovered from them.

Managing directors of implicated banks have provided statements, and investigations are ongoing, with former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq and her successor, Beta Edu, summoned for questioning.

The EFCC stressed that the probe targets a systemic issue rather than individuals, signaling a crackdown on corruption within Nigeria’s financial sector and government agencies.


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FITC to Redefine HR with AI, Digitisation for Organisational Sustainability

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The eagerly anticipated E3 Conference, hosted by FITC, is back for its fourth edition, poised to set new benchmarks in the realm of employee engagement and organizational sustainability.

Themed, “Redefining HR Through AI & Digital Transformation for Organizational Sustainability,” the conference is scheduled to take place on April 17th and 18th.

In a statement, FITC says the E3 Conference stands as a beacon of innovation, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and professionals from across Africa and beyond.

It explained that in today’s fast-paced landscape, technology such as AI and automation is reshaping the dynamics of human resource management.

“The E3 Conference is dedicated to unravelling the potential of these advancements, focusing on topics ranging from talent mobility to the latest trends in managing talent. It’s a journey towards understanding and embracing these transformative shifts, ensuring that businesses are primed for the future of HR.

“With a stellar lineup of over 24 speakers, including C-suite Executives, Subject Matter Experts, and Thought Leaders from various sectors, the conference promises to deliver insights that transcend conventional boundaries. Attendees can expect deep dives into strategies for enhancing productivity, streamlining processes, and maximizing global talent mobility through AI and automation, “it stated.

“Keynote speakers such as Evi Ifekwe, Executive Director of People & Country Services at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, and Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, alongside a faculty lineup comprising industry stalwarts, will spearhead discussions on critical issues shaping the future of work.

The two-day hybrid event will feature four plenary sessions and two master classes, providing attendees with ample opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and interactive engagement.

Participants will delve into topics such as the impact of AI on the future of work, data-driven performance management, and strategic implementation of AI in HR.

The conference is expected to provide insights into cutting-edge strategies for professionals and HR leaders who will gain invaluable insights from industry pioneers on leveraging AI and digital transformation to drive organizational sustainability and employee engagement, “it stated.

“As organisations worldwide grapple with the complexities of the new normal, the E3 Conference serves as a beacon of hope and enlightenment, offering practical solutions and visionary insights to navigate the challenges ahead, ” the company said.


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NASENI Collaborates with NIPSS on Enhancing Digital Economy, Job Creation

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National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State are set to collaborate on enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy footprints, empowering and creating jobs for millions of youths.

L-R: The Director General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Prof. Ayo Omotayo presenting an Award to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu during a study tour of the Senior Executive Course 46 at the NASENI Headquarters Abuja today, Monday 15th April, 2024.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO),  NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, disclosed this while welcoming participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46 of NIPSS who were at the Agency on Strategic Institution Study tour on Monday, 15th April, 2024.
Halilu said he was elated that NASENI was identified as one of the federal government’s agencies that have all it takes to empower and create job opportunities for Nigerian youths, and make the country self-reliant in
manufacturing and digital economy.
Halilu said strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders in Nigeria to access, adopt and scale up technologies is an essential outcome of such cooperation and collaborations currently being undertaken by the Agency and “must be supported by the relevant offline conditions, such as an enabling policy environment, access to finance, appropriate incentives and innovation capacities.”
The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who led the delegation, said Nigerian youths can be empowered through translation of NASENI innovations to finished products and to strengthen the collaboration between the two organizations.
According to him, various groups from the institute have been sent to different agencies to study how policies for national development can be developed, adding that the Group in NASENI will do a deep study on NASENI on how the Agency can help in creating job opportunities for Nigerian youths using some of its technological innovations.
He said “Nigeria cannot have good manufacturing without infrastructures and NASENI is very important in all the sectors in the country, especially in manufacturing industries. We need an Agency like NASENI to live up to expectations, we can work together with you to find means of transferring your innovations to effective job creation and youth empowerment.”
He noted that the Course 46 participants from NIPSS wanted to know the vision, mission and roles of NASENI and how they can be translated to job creation for youths in a digital economy.

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