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Digitize Content to Localize Internet Traffic – Rudman

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Mohammed Rudman is the managing director of Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN).
In his over a decade experience in the information and communications technology, Rudman has worked as network administrator in Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) from where he moved to Galaxy Backbone. He spoke to chike onwuegbuchi on how IXPN will help stimulate growth of local content on the internet.

Objective of IXPN in Keeping Local Traffic Local
Right now, almost all the providers are connected to our network and they are exchanging local traffic. First of all, we need to ask ourselves what is traffic?
Traffic is content. Even though big networks are connected, but they are just part of ‘iball’ networks.
Because if you divide the network into two, you will have people trying to browse, but what are they trying to browse? Content; so, the two, the end users and the content work together.
Presently, the content in Nigeria is low, even though we have huge network. So, networks that are iballs are the kinds of network we need in Nigeria.
They are networks that are heavy in content. We lack those contents heavy networks in Nigeria. Although the major network providers are connected, the traffic is not at its high capacity, because the content is not enough. We have very few content providers that are connected at our exchange point. For instance, we have Google. And Google is a network that provides content as well. The whole essence of coming together, even though some are idle, is that by the time we are together we can attract global content players to be part of the Nigerian network. At the same time, in coming together we are trying to see how those ISPs and telcos can provide value added services by hosting contents locally. It’s already happening.
Big data centers that were formally not available are now here with more coming on board. In April this year we organized an event on Local Internet Content aimed at bringing the ISPs, telecos, as the owners of the data centers, to engage them with the registrars of .ng and other registrars that are registering domains and hosting contents and even to the end users that generate contents like the iROKOtv and others; so that we can discuss issues on how to host contents in Nigeria.
So, there is an improvement in the exchange of traffic locally. We can see an annual growth of 300 to 400%.

Importance of the Local Internet Content Forum
After such engagements with stakeholders we usually come out with positions before implementations. The issue is that we do not see result immediately, but, I can say that from that event we have recorded immediate results.
The traffic at the exchange is increasing; we have seen major companies trying to shift ground from hosting abroad to hosting in Nigeria. One of them is Upper Link Limited which is the leading registrar in Nigeria. They have promised to migrate some of their servers into two Nigerian companies, because they have realized that those organizations have the data centers to host their contents.
They have signed their agreement. What we have to do now is to monitor if they have really moved their servers.
Secondly, we had discussions with the iROKOtv, the CEO is actually convinced towards the local hosting of contents. They are seriously thinking of replicating their serves into Nigeria to serve the Nigerian consumers.
Thirdly, the Ministry of Science and Technology is going to mandate all parastatals, ministries and agencies to register .ng and possibly host in the country and to have all email addresses that are locally driven. It is not going to be business as usual, especially for official purposes. Before now, we see government officials exchanging governments’ emails via personal emails.
I have seen a high ranked army official having Yahoomail on his call card, not as an additional mail, but it serves as his official email. So, from the event it was emphasized that by 2014 such emails should not be accepted in the government corridors.
As stakeholders, we do not make policies rather we brainstorm and make our positions known to the government and stakeholders, especially on how to digitize content; Nigeria has a lot of content. But the challenge is how to digitize and give access to them locally.

How Do We Digitize Contents
There are different techniques and organizations that are responsible for it. We need to find a way to achieve that.
And each ministry, department and agency (MDA) has to digitize themselves, so that one entity will not just be responsible for that. For instance, our universities have the responsibility to turn their libraries to e-books, projects and thesis of students at different levels.
That will enable other students across the globe to have access to it; that is huge content. These are huge contents that are seating on the floor of libraries of universities. In some cases, the contents are digitized, because nobody writes thesis now or projects with typewriters, so why can’t the school authorities start accepting the soft copies?
In the Immigration Service, they have started digitizing peoples’ passports, data, among others; the same thing with driver’s licence, these are processes that will generate digital contents for the country.
Also, the National Museum has a lot of information which should be readily available. Have you heard of the National War Museum (NWM) in Umuahia? I was there and amazed over the history of the war as depicted in the museum.
The tools used during the war and how they were used are there in the museum. But is there any website for that; I coincidentally got to know about the place.
There are a lot of artifacts there such as aircrafts, tankers, and images of tools manufactured locally by the Biafra Army. So, whose responsibility is it to digitizer this?
It falls under the purview of each of the MDAs to digitize what they have, whether old or new documents. Even some of our songs are going into extinction. We need to host them online as they are the contents we are referring to.

Eko Connect Project
It is about connecting schools. It is a project we are hoping to expand. At the same time, we are looking at how to bring other schools together. Presently, the Pan Atlantic University is now connected to the exchange; other higher educational institutions will join.
Earlier, we worked with Google, because the Google University Access programme is where and they are giving free bandwidth at the exchange point, but the substantial networking now is that National Universities Commission (NUC) has awarded the contract for National Educational and Research Network. About 27 Federal universities will be connected together.
We hope that part of the legs of the research institutions’ project will connect to the IXPN, so that other universities that are not connected will benefit from the interconnectivity.
Since we intend to be at the six geo-political zones, we hope to be the link that will connect the private universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, research institutions and other relevant organizations.
For Eko Connect, it entails small cluster of schools that have connected to the exchange. And other institutions that are not part of the cluster are getting connected now. The national and educational research network (NERN) is about connectivity.
When we talk about the exchange point, it is all about inter-connecting ISPs, telecos, content providers; to an extent we can still use the same platform to interconnect schools, and since the focus is on IP, you can communicate with each other.

Benefits Of Schools Connecting To NERN
It is mainly about collaborations on researches, exchange of ideas. Currently, you have schools conducting research on a particular subject and the other school conducting same research but for the same purpose. By the time they are together, they can put their resources together to conduct the same research.
It is a common phenomenon in Nigeria: students duplicate projects between one university and another.
But when all the projects are online, it will minimize such plagiarism. It will heighten the level of students’ interest in conducting research or writing projects.
When lecturers have access to all the projects and theses, it will be difficult to duplicate. With software that will be made available, it will be easy to detect when a student copies, even if it is a paragraph, just as it is in other developed countries.
Other benefits include, it gives them access to cheaper internet service; as they are coming together they buy internet in bulk. In the Nigerian ICT Forum there is what is called Bandwidth Consortium; it is about schools coming together, buy together so they can have negotiating power.
The economy of scale happens there. The whole idea of the internet started with the universities, why? They wanted to have the processing powers; one university may have supper computer, the other may not, so they share tools.
Doctors can collaborate and do surgeries. A lecturer from a particular university can give a lecture in another university without being physically present there. The possibilities are endless.
 


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Dufil Takes Donation of Indomie Noodles Cartons to Vulnerable Communities in Abuja and Environ

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In line with its commitment to provide critical support to indigent members of communities around the country in the face of the ongoing economic challenges, Dufil Prima Foods Limited, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, in partnership with Golan Helps Abuja Food Bank Initiative (GHAFBI) and Meluibe Foundation on Wednesday, April 17 distributed Indomie noodles cartons to vulnerable communities in Kuje and Kubwa Local Government Areas in Abuja.

With the goal of alleviating hunger and supporting communities across Nigeria, Indomie Instant Noodles has committed to donating a substantial quantity of noodle packs to various NGOs working tirelessly to address food insecurity.

These organizations play a crucial role in reaching remote and underserved areas, ensuring that nutritious meals reach those who need them most.

“We are deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we operate,” said Olusola Olayinka Idowu OON, former Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, and the CEO/Founder of GHAFBI.

“At GHAFBI, we believe that everyone deserves access to wholesome and nourishing food. Our partnership with Dufil Prima Foods to donate Indomie Noodles packs is a big step towards addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities in Abuja”, said Idowu who was also the former National Conveyor, UN Food System Dialogues in Nigeria.

Speaking in the same vein, Obialunanma Nnaobi-Ayodele, Executive Director, The Meluibe Empowerment Foundation, expressed her gratitude to Indomie Noodles for the partnership. “Our vision as an NGO is to change the world one step at a time, by providing relief and support to vulnerable communities.

This is achieved through collaborations and partnerships, one of which is what we have done with Indomie Noodles. We remain grateful for their support through this food relief initiative”, she said.

By partnering with NGOs, Indomie Instant Noodles works closely with local leaders and community heads in directly engaging with rural communities to distribute noodle packs and provide immediate relief to families facing hunger and ensuring that food assistance reaches those who are most in need, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with NGOs and community leaders to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people facing food insecurity”, said Temitope Ashiwaju, Group Corporate Communications and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Limited. “Together, we bring hope, love and relief for all”.

The community leaders and some of the beneficiaries also expressed their immense gratitude to Indomie for the support, stressing the impact the products donated will have in alleviating hunger in their communities.

Speaking at the outreach centre, His Royal Highness, Muhammed D. Jibril, Community Leader of Gbazango Community in Kubwa Local Government Area said: “I am very grateful to Indomie Noodles for coming to our aid in these challenging times. I pray for more expansion and growth for the business and may God bless Indomie Noodles”.

Other communities who benefited from the product donations include Wunmi, Tondo, Godoji and Shazhi communities in Kuje Area Council of Abuja.

Dufil Prima Food’s donation of Indomie Noodle packs underscores its commitment to corporate social responsibility and its dedication to supporting communities in need. By providing essential food relief, Dufil Prima Foods is contributing to the well-being and resilience of vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

Indomie Instant Noodles remains dedicated to bringing joy to mealtimes and making a positive impact in communities around the world.


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Empowering Nigerian Retail: The Promise of Pay on Delivery

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E-commerce in Nigeria has evolved exponentially in recent years, transforming the retail landscape and reshaping consumer habits. From the early days of skepticism and distrust to today’s thriving online marketplaces, the journey has been marked by innovation, adaptation, and perhaps most importantly, the establishment of trust and security between buyers and sellers. At the core of this transformation, Pay on Delivery (PoD) has emerged as the unsung hero of e-commerce.

The premise is straightforward: customers could place orders online and pay for their purchases only upon receipt. This innovative approach not only addressed concerns about security but also provided tangible reassurance to hesitant buyers. In countries like India, Nigeria, and Indonesia, where a significant portion of the population remains unbanked or underbanked and where distrust in online transactions and fraudulent activities were once rampant, Pay on Delivery has emerged as a lifeline for both consumers and businesses. Many consumers were understandably hesitant to part with their hard-earned money before receiving their desired goods. Pay on delivery bridges this trust gap, offering reassurance to buyers and empowering them to transact with confidence.

In Nigeria, despite the adoption of a wide range of electronic payments, cash is still king. The results of a survey conducted in 2021 show that cash remains the dominant payment method, reflecting the ongoing preference for tangible transactions over digital ones. In addition, a recent report by ongoing preference for tangible transactions over digital ones. In addition, a recent report by Oxford Business Group found that 70% of Nigerians prefer to pay with cash on delivery, while 28% use credit or debit cards, and only 12% use mobile money platforms. This has challenged e-retailers, and some companies like Jumia, to adapt by prioritizing cash-on-delivery options to cater to this consumer preference.

The Promise of Pay on Delivery in Nigeria

With consumers in mind, Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Nigeria, has made Pay on Delivery a cornerstone of its business model. Understanding the local market dynamics and the importance of trust and convenience, the company has invested heavily in ensuring a seamless Pay on Delivery experience for its customers.

One of the key benefits of Jumia’s Pay on Delivery service is its flexibility. Customers have the option to inspect their purchases before making payment, ensuring satisfaction and reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions. This added layer of security not only enhances the overall shopping experience but also builds long-term trust and loyalty among customers.

Moreover, Jumia has implemented rigorous quality control measures to ensure that products meet customer expectations upon delivery. This includes partnering with reputable brands and implementing stringent verification processes to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the marketplace. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and product quality, Jumia has solidified its reputation as a trusted online retailer in Nigeria.

Beyond enhancing trust and security, Pay on Delivery has also played a crucial role in driving financial inclusion in Nigeria. By providing an alternative payment method for those without access to traditional banking services, Jumia has expanded the reach of e-commerce to a broader segment of the population. This not only benefits consumers by providing greater access to goods and services but also stimulates economic growth by fostering entrepreneurship and driving demand for products and services.

In all, the future of e-commerce in Nigeria looks promising, with Pay on Delivery poised to remain a key enabler of growth and expansion. As technology continues to advance and consumer preferences evolve, innovative solutions like Pay on Delivery will continue to drive the transformation of the retail landscape, empowering Nigerian consumers and businesses alike.

 


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Verra Certifies d.light’s Clean Cookstove Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

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A series of pioneering projects by d.light, the global provider of transformational household products and affordable finance for low-income households, to distribute 600,000 energy-efficient clean cookstoves in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda have been officially certified by global verification body Verra.

This certification confirms the d.light projects as trusted, verified sources of high-quality carbon credits in the voluntary carbon markets (VCMs).

The d.light projects aim to simultaneously reduce carbon emissions, tackle indoor air pollution, and reduce deforestation through the sale of highly efficient biomass cookstoves subsidized by the revenues from the sale of carbon credits.

Since their launch in late 2022, the projects have positively impacted more than one million lives and are projected to transform more than three million lives by 2025.

Commenting on the news, Karl Skare, d.light’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, emphasized the projects’ positive impact, “With these projects, we’re not just addressing environmental concerns but also enhancing quality of life for millions.

“Each project underscores d.light’s commitment to practical, innovative solutions that address both environmental and social challenges, as part of our mission to transform the lives of one billion people by 2030.”

Each year, domestic cooking emissions contribute more than two percent of total global GHG emissions and up to 25 percent of anthropogenic black carbon emissions.

Highly energy-efficient cookstoves solve this problem by reducing biomass use by up to 70 percent compared to traditional cooking methods, cutting emissions of both carbon dioxide and black carbon.

The d.light projects are expected to reduce emissions by up to 12 million tons, contributing to climate change mitigation. These emissions reductions will be registered as carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market.

As well as reducing emissions, clean cookstoves are also a benefit to public health. According to the World Health Organisation, exposure to smoke from cooking fires causes an estimated 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide each year and is still one of the predominant causes of pollution-related illness and death in Africa.

In Uganda, for example, less than one percent of the population has access to clean cooking, household air pollution is the one of the largest risk factors for death and disability.

In addition, switching from traditional three-stone open fires to cleaner, energy-efficient cookstoves significantly reduces deforestation and reduces threats to wildlife and biodiversity caused by habitat loss.

Skare explained, “By subsidizing energy-efficient cookstove costs through carbon financing, d.light makes clean cooking accessible to more households, which in turn leads to healthier living conditions and conserves natural resources as well.

“Our projects in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda are models of how sustainable investments can yield multiple co-benefits, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and also promoting socio-economic development.

Skare added, “d.light now has projects certified by both Gold Standard and Verra, the world’s two leading certifiers of carbon credits. Organizations looking for ways to offset their own emissions can be confident that when they purchase carbon credits in d.light’s clean cooking projects in sub-Saharan Africa, they are investing in transformative initiatives that reduce harmful emissions, improve people’s health and quality of life, and help conserve the environment as well.”

 


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