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ICT Helped Contain Ebola Virus in Nigeria — Minister

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Dr Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, said on Thursday that Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) were instrumental to the containment of Ebola Virus in Nigeria.

Johnson made the observation in a policy statement at the at the ongoing International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2014 (PP-14) in Busan, Republic of Korea.

A statement made available to newsmen in Lagos quoted the minister as saying that the use of Android app, Facebook and Twitter assisted Nigeria’s fight to contain the virus.

According to her, with Ebola, time was very important, hence the phone app helped in reducing reporting times of infections by 75 per cent.

“Test results were scanned to tablets and uploaded to emergency databases and field teams got text message alerts on their phones informing them of the results,’’ she said.

The minister said the combination of the internet and mobile cellular phones had opened up tremendous opportunities for countries like Nigeria.

She said that the steep increase in mobile use was driven by a number of factors, particularly the additional ways in which mobile phones were being used in Nigeria.

According to her, beyond conducting voice conversations, mobile phones were often the preferred channel for receiving data and for conducting transactions in Nigeria.

She said that it had made phones an indispensable tool used as cameras, wallets, shops, music players, movie screens and information or service centres of Nigerians.

Johnson said that Nigeria’s policy focus was in step with the reality of the mobile internet revolution spreading across the globe.

She said that the Ministry of Communication Technology was looking to create a viable environment for the proliferation of lower priced devices.

The minister said the ministry was working to create increased investment in network infrastructure and availability of spectrum for mobile broadband.

She said Nigeria had seen mobile subscription increase from 87 million active SIM cards to more than 131 million in the last four years.

Mobile internet subscription stood at 67 million as at June 2014.

The ICT sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP is growing and was about ten and a half per cent (10.44%) in 2013.

The sector also indirectly impacts GDP through its influence on other key sectors.

For example, in the 2013, ICTs were responsible for twelve per cent (12.05%) of the value added by the Finance and Insurance sector to GDP.

In terms of social growth, ICTs are helping Government to meet health objectives and are amplifying benefits in the education and agriculture sectors.

“The ITU’s growth priority of enabling and fostering access to and increased use of telecommunications/ICTs, therefore, resonates with Nigeria both economically and socially,” Johnson said.

She said that Nigeria was using telecommunications and ICTs to build a more inclusive society.

The minister said the broadband initiatives were in line with the ITU’s priority of bridging the digital divide and providing broadband for all.

She said that the initiatives were cognizant of the needs of women and girls as well as other groups of the Nigerian society.

Johnson said that the ministry’s policy framework was in line with the ITU Strategic Plan for 2016-2019, particularly since it identified goals and targets of growth, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnership.


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Glo Urges Workers to Reflect on Furthering National Growth on May Day

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Telecommunications services provider, Globacom, has admonished Nigerian workers to reflect on more ways of contributing further to the growth of the country.

In a solidarity message on the occasion of the 2024 International Workers’ Day, the company noted that Nigerian workers were resilient in spite of the challenges they encounter in the course of discharging their duties.

The telecommunications giant further noted that the story of Nigeria cannot be adequately chronicled without acknowledging the immense contributions of workers, both in the public and private sectors.

The day is observed on May 1 yearly in recognition of the contributions of workers all over the world and to advance fairer and more sustainable future by advocating for workers’ rights.

“We salute Nigerian workers on this day and commend them for the hard work, commitment, resourcefulness and industry which are essential for the growth of the economy of any nation,” Globacom said.

 


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CWG Board of Directors Approves 400% Increase in Dividend Payout

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CWG Plc has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering value to shareholders. Following a thorough review of the company’s financial performance and outlook, the Board of Directors has approved a substantial increase of 400per cent in dividend payout to shareholders.

This decision reflects CWG’s confidence in its financial stability, growth trajectory, and ability to generate sustainable returns. By enhancing the dividend payout, CWG aims to reward shareholders for their continued trust and support while reaffirming its commitment to creating long-term value.

Mr. Philip Obioha, Chairman of the Board of Directors at CWG Plc, said, “The decision to approve a 400% increase in dividend payout underscores our confidence in CWG’s performance and outlook. We are dedicated to delivering value to our shareholders and believe that this significant dividend increase is a testament to our commitment to shareholder value creation.”

This increase in dividend payout aligns with CWG’s strategic objectives to prioritize shareholder interests and maintain strong financial discipline. The Board remains committed to prudent financial management and sustainable growth, ensuring that CWG continues to be a reliable investment for shareholders.

As CWG continues to execute its growth strategy and expand its presence in the market, the Board anticipates that the increased dividend payout will further strengthen investor confidence and support CWG’s vision for the future.


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Prof. Aliyu, AI Practitioner to Keynote ABoICT 2024

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CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, a certified global ICT company with over two million online subscribers, is delighted and proud to announce Prof. Yakub Aliyu, as the keynote speaker at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture series 2024.

 

Aliyu, will be speaking on the theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Good, The Complex and The Anticipated”, this leans heavily on the fact that AI changing our lives– we just need to know where to look today.

This year’s rebranded Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series is slated for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.

The event is the most prestigious annual event that brings together captains of industry in both technology and financial worlds.

According to Ken Nwogbo, CEO, Communication Week Media Ltd, organisers of the ABoICT Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series, “the choice of Prof. Yakub Aliyu is deliberate because of his exceptional career in Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

He added that, AI is considered to have the potential to instigate a fourth industrial revolution,1 and is dramatically changing people’s patterns of interaction and economic activities.

“The traditional factors of production and physical capital and labour may no longer promote substantial economic growth. It is generally believed that AI will be one of the most important factors determining future economic growth,” he said.

A professor of microelectronics and a scholar-practitioner in artificial intelligence and deep machine learning for industrial applications and high-speed application processors. His research interests include Multimodal AI models for high-efficiency industrial robot applications and Human AI interactions.

He also has adjunct academic professorships at five African, USA, and UK universities. Holds a BS in Applied Physics Electronics from Karlsruhe and A Bello Universities in Germany and Nigeria, an MBA in International Business Management from the University of London, an MSEE (Master of Engineering, Electronics), and a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Wales.

Prof. Aliyu is the global quality director for Bourns Inc., Riverside, California, USA, an electronics system, and components manufacturer. I oversee quality functions in 21 factories worldwide.

He has also held quality and operational management leadership positions at National Semiconductors, Bell Labs-Lucent Technology, Texas Instrument, Global Foundries, and Roper Technologies USA.

Authored and coauthored over 30 Advanced Technology United States-issued patents in High-Speed Application Processors and Contributed to over 40 international impact Journals, chapters, and conferences; FASI, SMIEEE USA, MIEE UK, M. Inst pf Physics Chartered Phys and C Eng UK.

Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in Counterparty Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.

Others are: Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dr. Seyi Akindeind, co-founder, Digital Encode; Dr Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Director, Africa Data Centres.


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