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Broadband Council Tracks Plan Progress

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The Broadband Council inaugurated by Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology met for the second time since its inception at the weekend and top on the was progress of public and private sector efforts against the projections of the broadband plan.

The President’s goal to see broadband penetration increase by 2017 (80% of the population will have access to mobile broadband, and 20% to fixed broadband) was re-emphasised.

So far several steps have been taken, and there are a number of core deliverables to be seen by the end of the year chiefly  increased awareness of the importance of broadband to the social and economic agenda (increased broadband penetration has a direct correlation to increased economic activities and GDP contributions).

Accelerated work on a Critical National Infrastructure Bill that covers damage to all infrastructure including telecoms, a spectrum audit, and a wholesale pricing audit that will lead to the reduction in the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure.

The NCC has been active and pivotal in promoting this agenda having just concluded the hosting of the CTO Forum with Broadband at the forefront of its program.

Raising awareness that leads to growth in demand is still a critical part of the process of encouraging operators and licensees to build services to unserved areas. A planned awareness campaign will communicate transformational benefits of broadband to encourage its use and adoption.

At the meeting the progress against the plan was reported under the following categories. On the issue of Policy & Regulation, a nationwide publishing and communication of the agreed Right of Way Guidelines will commence in November.

Also a legal services firm has been appointed to draft a Critical National Infrastructure Bill. The firm has submitted an inception report and initial requests for comments by stakeholders have been made and are now under review.

Also on the matter of an Open Access framework, a preliminary report that will enable broadband penetration is being developed and is expected by the end of November 2013.

Further to this Long Distance fibre interconnectivity is planned through the Nigerian Internet Exchange.

A stakeholder forum on developing an Interconnect scheme for National and Long distance operators to actualize this will be held in November.

To support this, GIS Mapping of fibre infrastructure is also underway with the 6 zonal maps produced for each geo-political zone being integrated into one by December 2013. 

The Council also deliberated on collaborations with state governments on resolution of issues affecting the rollout of base stations.

On the issue of Spectrum, the Council noted that a spectrum audit has been initiated and will be completed within six months. Following this an auction of spectrum is being planned by the NFMC in collaboration with the NCC and NBC.

Under the topic of affordability, a cost-based pricing model for guiding fibre duct leasing is being drafted and will be ready by the end of November as part of the open access framework.

Among the key wins the council wishes to see are clear targets for increased collocation on Base Stations, and increased rollout to improve nationwide coverage. These targets are yet to be collated but work has started.

The Council is also looking into resolving thorny issues to do with the speedy roll out of base stations between NESREA, NCC and the Ministry of Environment.

In attendance at the session chaired by Johnson were the secretary of the USPF, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, Engineer Ernest Ndukwe, Mr Jim Ovia, Mr Lanre Ajayi, Engineer Titi Omo-Ettu, Professor David Adewumi, Mr Olayinka Oni, Mrs Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Mr Bayo Banjo, Mr Muhammad Rudman, Mr Junaid Dikko, and Engineer John Ayodele.

The Broadband Council was inaugurated on the 16th of July and is made up of 19 members chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson. The Council is charged with the responsibility of working on implementation modalities for the newly developed and approved Nigerian National Broadband plan for the period 2013 – 2018.


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Adeleke Describes Adenuga’s Contribution to African Economy as Unquantifiable

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Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has described the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., as an icon who has made enormous contributions to the development of Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking when he received the Public Sector team from Globacom in his office at Osogbo recently, the governor also commended the positive impact the company has made in the telecoms industry in terms of innovation and pricing.

He described Dr Adenuga as a great believer in Nigeria “whose impact on the Nigerian and the African economy cannot be quantified”.

Adeleke assured the Globacom team led by Niyi Odejobi of his government’s readiness to explore areas of business partnership with the company. “Be rest assured that this partnership is already a reality. We just need to work out the details”, Senator Adeleke noted.

He urged telecommunications companies to strengthen ties with the state government, adding that “the subnational entities are where your market is. Even though the regulatory body is national, your market base remains the states and the local governments. You must deliberately prioritize partnership with the state government.

“The telecom community must understand that giving full support to the states in terms of payment of right taxes and corporate social responsibility is an investment in your market. The more robust the state governments are, the more buoyant your market will be,” the governor said.

In his own remarks, Odejobi pledged Globacom’s support for the growth and development of Osun State, adding that it would deploy various internet and digital infrastructure to promote governance and businesses in the state.


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Foodstuff Store introduces Innovative Recycling Program

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Foodstuff Store, an AgriTech company on Wednesday announced the introduction of its innovative recycling program. The expansion of the corporate mission to include waste management and recycling solutions underlines the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Foodstuff Store is providing a way by which their customers who are provided with wholesome and fresh food products directly from farmers can now dispose of their plastic wastes as an added service, thereby reducing their ecological footprint.

For every waste item delivered for recycling by customers, they’ll receive a credit that can be used for a next purchase at the Foodstuff Store.

Not only will this ensure a contribution to a cleaner environment, but it will also provide a way to incentivise their efforts towards adopting sustainability practices.

“We are thrilled to offer our customers a convenient way to recycle and contribute to a cleaner Nigeria and a cleaner planet,” says Diana Tenabe, Chief Operating Officer at Foodstuff Store. “By offering rewards for recycling, we hope to incentivize eco-conscious behavior within our communities in Nigeria.”

Nigeria faces a significant challenge with plastic pollution. The prevalence of single-use plastics, which is caused by widespread use of sachet water pouches, plastic shopping bags, and take-away containers, leads to massive waste generation. There are also recycling capacity challenges in Nigeria, where only a small percentage of plastic waste gets recycled.

Additionally, indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other waste materials contributes to overflowing landfills with plastics, clogged drainages that lead to flooding, and harming marine life.

Foodstuff Store believes that by working together with its customers, it can create a positive impact on the environment. This new program allows customers to enjoy the quality products and services they expect from Foodstuff Store, while also contributing to a more sustainable future.


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Edenlife Opens the first Homemade Outlet Store in Oniru, to open 49 more Across the Country 

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Homemade by Eden, the food retail business of Nigerian home concierge startup, Edenlife has marked a significant step towards National expansion with the launch of its first Outlet store in Oniru, Lagos State. This move signals the company’s commitment to bringing its signature homemade meals directly to consumers across the country.

Commenting on the launch of the Oniru Outlet, Nadayar Enegesi, CEO of Edenliife stated, ‘’At Eden Life, it’s in our DNA to adapt and meet the evolving needs of our consumers.

The new outlet store by Homemade exemplifies this commitment. These outlet stores will deliver delicious, home-cooked meals to its customers and create job opportunities in logistics and tech support, driving local economic growth.

By sourcing fresh ingredients from smaller Nigerian farms, we strengthen the agricultural sector and ensure a reliable supply chain. And there’s more to come we have plans to launch mobile kitchens in other strategic locations across the nation.

It’s a win-win situation – our customers enjoy a taste of home, we create jobs, empower local businesses, and contribute to a stronger Nigerian economy.’’

The establishment of these outlet stores translates to new job opportunities in logistics and potentially tech support for the mobile units. Additionally, the focus on fresh, local ingredients could encourage partnerships with smaller Nigerian farms, strengthening the agricultural sector and supporting local food production.

This localized approach to food delivery keeps money circulating within communities and fosters a more sustainable economic ecosystem.

Speaking at the launch event on Friday, May 10, 2024, Orafiri Adoki, Business Lead of Homemade stated that some of Nigeria’s food culture has not been fully explored.

She stated, “Nigeria has such a rich culture around food, which has not been explored to its maximum. So, with the launch of the Homemade outlet, we hope to introduce some of the meals Nigerians are used to at home while providing creative and innovative ways to enjoy these meals,” .

As Nigeria’s e-commerce sector continues to evolve, Eden Life’s innovative approach positions the company as a frontrunner in driving industry growth and reshaping consumer expectations. By providing a seamless omnichannel shopping experience, Edenliife not only captures market share but also cultivates meaningful connections with Nigerian consumers.

Nigeria’s e-commerce industry has been experiencing a boom in recent years, driven by factors like increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a growing young population. The e-commerce market in Nigeria is estimated to be around USD 8.53 billion in 2024.

It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.82% during the forecast period (2024-2029), reaching approximately USD 14.92 billion by 2029. E-commerce is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory in Nigeria, presenting immense potential for e-commerce platforms like Edenlife to capitalize on the rising demand for convenient and affordable food options.


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