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FG, Anambra Join Hands for Smart State Project

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Federal government and Anambra state have agreed to work together to create an enabling environment that will position Anambra as a smart state, that will lead to the accelerated roll out of critical ICT infrastructure across the state necessary for development.

The Ministry of Communication Technology and the Broadband Council  chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, is promoting a ‘’Smart State’’ initiative geared at engaging governors and relevant authorities at the state and federal level to address the issue of multiple taxation impeding the acceleration of the roll out of critical infrastructure across Nigeria.

The main aim of the Smart States initiative is to ensure that effective measures are adopted to remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations across the nation.

Anambra  is one of the Smart States selected by the Broadband Council to facilitate ICT infrastructure rollout critical for development.

 Other Smart states selected by the Broadband Council include Bayelsa, Gombe, Katsina and Ondo. Lagos has already reduced ROW charges by 85%. Bayelsa has already signed an MoU on the Smart state initiative.

The agreement with Anambra will foster an enabling environment for the deployment of Communications Infrastructure that will lead to a reduction in the cost of network deployment and an increase in the rollout of such networks to commercial centers, underserved and rural areas by Communications Operators.

In so doing, an enabling environment will be created that will  increase broadband penetration -both fixed and mobile and increase access to such services at affordable prices for customers, creating digitally enabled urban areas called ‘Smart Cities’.

Those States that provide such an enabling environment will be labelled ‘Model States’ and afforded the utmost support in achieving these objectives. In exchange participating states can expect to see growth in economic activity and productivity and subsequently the positive development of the State.

This initiative will cover the following- Standardized fees for site building and approvals within the state, reduction in fees and possibility of waiver for Right of Way in deserving instances, implementation of a Dig-Once Policy, promotion of collocation between operators in the State and connectivity to state institutions within 1km of the given Right of Way.

Recall that the Ministry is working to ensure that the bottlenecks that mitigate service quality delivery are removed. 

To tackle quality of service issues in the industry, the Ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Works developed new Right of Way RoW guidelines for Federal Government roads to enable operators have unencumbered means of laying fibre optics which is critical for infrastructure development and quality of service.

To remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations that impede telecoms development across the nation, the Ministry for the first time in the history of Nigeria’s telecoms revolution got state governors and relevant authorities at the state and federal level to address the issue of multiple taxation and adopt measures that will remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations to enhance service delivery across the nation.

A landmark agreement with the Lagos state government facilitated by the Ministry was brokered to address issues of RoW, base station deployment etc. Cost of RoW was slashed from 3000 to 500- a reduction of 85%.

The Ministry is working replicate this in other states by convincing other state governors and relevant authorities at the state level to eliminate multiple taxation and adopt measures that will remove arbitrary charges and enhance telecoms service delivery.

An assessment of the deployment of ICT infrastructure revealed that almost 70 percent of deployment cost was spent on processing ROW; taxes and levies on infrastructure.

The ministry strongly believes that the elimination of multiple taxes will result in cost effective, accelerated and massive deployment of ICT infrastructure across the country, which will enhance quality delivery issues currently being experienced by telecoms subscribers.   


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Telecom Management Company Appeals for Cooperation and Safety Measures Over Abaranje Base Station Fire Incident

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Carville Integrated Ventures Limited, a telecoms facility management services provider, has expressed deep sadness by the recent fire incident at Abaranje Base Station, one of the several base stations it manages on behalf of Airtel Nigeria.

The incident, which occurred during maintenance operations on a leaking part of a diesel tank, resulted in injuries to some individuals from the local community who forcefully gained unauthorized access into the facility hosting the base station during the maintenance work.

Despite this breach of access control by the impacted individuals, Carville, who has responsibility for the site management expresses its sympathy to the victims and has offered to provide healthcare support to them.

The management of Carville Integrated Ventures, extends her condolences to the affected individuals and their families, stating, “Our hearts go out to those injured in the unfortunate incident. We are committed to providing support and assistance during their recovery process.”

Carville also emphasizes the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, stating, “We stand by our commitment to the communities we serve, and we will continue to prioritize their welfare in all our operations.”

Furthermore, Carville appeals to community leaders and members to cooperate with the company in implementing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. “Safety is our top priority, the management affirmed. “We urge everyone to adhere to safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the well-being of all.”

Carville is working closely with local authorities and regulatory bodies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and implement necessary measures to prevent recurrence.


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Google, Kaduna State Others Partner to Launch First Hausa-Language AI learning Series to Expand Tech Education and Empower Women

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A new initiative aimed at empowering women in Northern Nigeria through AI education was launched today. Google, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, and Data Science Nigeria, introduced the AI for Beginners Learning Video Series. This series presents Artificial Intelligence concepts in Hausa, making complex technology more accessible and culturally relevant for the region.

In Northern Nigeria, various challenges can impact access to tech education and career opportunities. These include diverse socio-cultural dynamics, infrastructural limitations, and language barriers. The AI for Beginners Learning Video Series, through its engaging animations and culturally relevant imagery, is designed to make complex digital concepts more accessible and relatable, fostering inclusivity and participation in the growing tech sector.

The launch event, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall in Kaduna, was a celebration of technology, education, and the immense potential of Northern Nigeria’s women. His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor, delivering a keynote address that underscored the government’s commitment to digital transformation and economic growth.

“AI is not just the future; it’s the present,” Governor Uba Sani declared. “By equipping our people, especially our women, with AI skills, we’re not only paving the way for a more prosperous and innovative Northern Nigeria, but also laying the foundation for Kaduna to become a thriving tech hub.”

“We believe that technology can be a powerful force for change and are committed to making learning resources available in local languages to empower more people,” said the Director of Google West Africa during the launch event held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Muhammad Square, Kaduna. He added, “This series marks a new milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance AI knowledge across Northern Nigeria, fostering a broader understanding and application of AI technologies that drive innovation and create new job opportunities.”

“By making AI education accessible in Hausa, we’re opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact,” added Dr. Bayo Adekanbi, CEO/Founder of Data Science Nigeria. “These women are the future leaders and innovators of Northern Nigeria, and AI is the tool that can amplify their potential.”

The event also featured speeches from representatives of NITDA and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who underscored the national significance of the initiative and the government’s support for fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem.

The AI for Beginners Learning Video Series is now available on YouTube via the Data Science Nigeria platform, on the NITDA education portal, and for download. To further aid in accessibility, the series has also been deployed on USB drives for distribution and direct peer-to-peer copy at all primary and secondary schools, including public video content copying centres across Kaduna State.


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Konga Launches Tech Month with Incredible Discounts

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Konga, Leading e-commerce giant has announced its highly anticipated Konga Tech Month starting from Wednesday, May 1, until Friday, May 31, 2024. This good news is not only for tech enthusiasts and bargain hunters but also for home appliance lovers, as this year’s edition goes beyond gadgets to feature home, office and lifestyle essentials.

Konga Tech Month has become a major event in the Nigerian shopping calendar. This annual sales extravaganza is widely regarded as one of the biggest gadget sales in the country. It offers a treasure trove of tech devices at unbeatable prices, attracting a massive audience eager to snag incredible deals on a wide range of products.

This year’s Konga Tech Month boasts an impressive selection of devices across various categories. Whether you need a reliable laptop, phone or a professional upgrade to your office and household with authentic appliances, Konga Tech Month has something to suit every need.

Throughout May, Konga’s customers will stand the chance to take advantage of special discounts on original printers, dependable power solutions and generators from companies like iTEC and iPower Inverters, mobile phones, refrigerators, inverters, and much more at up to half the price. Many freebies and deals will also be on offer for the fastest fingers in the Konga Flash Sale.

“Konga Tech Month is a testament to our commitment to providing Nigerians with access to high-quality yet affordable tech products,” said Mr Nnamdi Ekeh, CEO of Konga. “This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better than last year, so we are thrilled to get started. Thanks to Konga Tech Month, we can accomplish our mission of making cutting-edge technology available to everyone no matter their budget.”

The competitive pricing and special deals offered during Konga Tech Month are available for students, institutions, and organizations. Whether it’s outfitting a computer lab, updating office technology, or providing students with affordable laptops, Konga Tech Month offers a cost-effective solution.

A satisfied shopper from the last edition shared her excitement saying, “The Konga Tech event last year was incredible! I was able to get the high-performance laptop I’d been eyeing for months and at a price I couldn’t believe. The discounts were amazing, and the selection was huge. Plus, being able to choose between online shopping or visiting a Konga store was convenient and made shopping easier. I’m looking forward to Tech Week this year. I’ve been eyeing a new microwave and phone, and I know Konga will have the finest deals in town.”

Konga Tech Month offers a smooth shopping experience for everyone. Customers can browse the extensive selection of discounted tech products online at the Konga website (https://www.konga.com/) or visit any Konga retail outlets nationwide to experience the deals firsthand.

 


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