News
FG Says ICT Pivotal to National Development
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has restated government’s continuous improvement on the nation’s infrastructural base, saying it is one of the cardinal policies of the current administration.
He said that it was in recognition of this that the presidential task force on the restructuring of government institutions and organizations in Telecoms, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sectors was set up to pave way for Nigeria to move with times as ICT has become a pivotal of efficiency and development.
Yar’Adua who spoke in Abuja through Alhaji Ibrahim Dansuki Nakande, minister of state for information and communications, stated this at the opening ceremony of Africa international technology exhibition (AFRITEX 2008).
The aim of the event put together through the efforts of the national information technology development agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the local organizing committee AFRITEX, is to bring to limelight technologies of African origin alongside existing ones from the Western world.
Speaking further, the president said, "it is indisputable fact that Nigerian market is large and has the fastest Telecommunications growth rate in Africa. Therefore, my administration will continue to encourage well-meaning Nigerians and foreign investors, and would continuously create the enabling environment for them in invest in Telecoms and ICT sectors", he assured.
He said African continent is not at the dawn of the information age and knowledge economy, all to be driven by information and communications technologies, the spread of ICT is changing the way economic and social developments occur worldwide.
ICT related tools, he observed, can make institutions and markets more productive through enhanced acquisition of skills and learning which, according to him, lead to improved governance at all levels. By this development, the poor will begin to have direct access to service culminating in their effective participation in issues that affect them.
He pointed out that the digital divide between Africa and the rest of the world has become serious in the fact that the gap was widening as the rest of the world was being swept by an information revolution that was leaving Africa in its wake.
"This, therefore, makes it more urgent for nations and governments in Africa to come together to explore various avenues of bringing this great divide, using various strategic programmes, initiatives and the encouragement of local content development".
The AFRITEX initiative which has the theme: harnessing the opportunities of Africa’s ICT environment, is one of Africa’s biggest information and communication technology exhibition that has brought various governments of the continent, service providers, users and peoples of Africa together.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
- News2 days ago
60 Hearty Cheers to Chioma Ekeh, Africa’s Leading Unusual Female Tech
- Telecom2 days ago
ALTON, ATCON Urge FG to Address Telecoms Industry Challenges
- Telecom2 days ago
Qualcomm Shortlists Startups for Qualcomm Make in Africa 2024 and Awards 2023 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund
- News2 days ago
9mobile Partners Microsoft to Host Impactful Training Session for Journalists
- News2 days ago
Academic Technologists Propose N350,000 Minimum Wage
- E-Business3 days ago
Dexude Secures Funding to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria, Beyond
- E-Financial2 days ago
Confusion as CBN Deletes, Reinstates Tweet Calling Crypto-Related Directive Fake
- E-Business2 days ago
Hydrogen Hosts Catalyst Workshop, Highlights Resilient Business Models for Fintech Startups