Telecom
IG4D 2024: Edetaen Ojo to chair NDSF on Internet Governance
One of the top 10 digital change makers in Africa and Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr. Edetaen Ojo would preside over the 2024 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D).
The Lead Consulting Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa, a project of ITREALMS Media group, Sir Remmy Nweke, made this disclosure, saying that Mr. Ojo, a renowned internet freedom advocate on the continent has been confirmed to chair this year’s forum on the theme “IG4D: Innovative Digital Economy & Safer Civic Space in Nigeria.”
He also said that this year marks the 15 years of Internet and domain name advocacy in Nigeria by DigitalSENSE Africa and would be held at the prestigious Welcome Centre Hotels, along international Airport Road, Lagos.
As said by Nweke, the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF) series on Internet Governance for Development, made a debut in 2009 and has remained a rallying point for Internet stakeholders and eco-system in the country.
Stressing that some recognition has been lined up for corporates and individuals who distinguished themselves in deepening Internet penetration across access, openness, affordability, connectivity, advocacy and empowerment of the citizenry on the use and application of the internet for good.
NDSF series on IG4D, powered by ITREALMS Media group is hosted by DigitalSENSE Africa, an At-Large Structure (ALS) certified by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including Internet Society (ISOC), Nigeria chapter, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Digital Realty Nigeria, among others.
Nweke recalled that Mr. Ojo holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Studies from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and a Master’s degree in International Journalism from City University in London, where he was a British Chevening Scholar.
He also has a diploma in NGO Management from Galilee College in Israel and was a Visiting Media Fellow at DeWitt Wallace Center for Communications and Journalism at Duke University, North Carolina, in the United States.
Mr. Ojo currently serves as a member of the Advisory Network of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), a partnership of 39 governments around the world working to advance Internet freedom; a member of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) of Nigeria, and as Chair of the Board of the International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos.
He has sat on the boards and governing bodies of numerous organizations around the world. He served as inaugural Co-Chair of the National Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria from 2016 to 2019 with then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
He has also been Chair of the Steering Committee of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of freedom of expression organizations in Africa; Chair of the Working Group of the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI); Convenor (Chair) of the governing Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of freedom of expression organizations based in Toronto, Canada; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in Ghana; Chair of the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC); a member of the Board of International Media Support (IMS) in Denmark; a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD); a member of the Task Force of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) that coordinated the Strengthening Africa’s Media (STREAM) process; a member of the Advisory Group of the Africa Media Development Initiative (AMDI); and a member of the Steering Committee of the Web We Want, a global campaign for Internet freedom; among others.
From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Ojo was UNESCO’s Technical Adviser to the Government of Liberia in the post-war reconstruction of the media sector in Liberia.
He was also Coordinator of the International Partnership on Media and Conflict Prevention in West Africa, an alliance of UN agencies, international, regional and national non-governmental organizations.
In 2013, he was a member of the International Advisory Committee for UNESCO’s project on “The Safety of Online Media Actors Doing Journalism” and was also in 2013 named an Internet Freedom Fellow by the U.S. State Department.
Ojo received several honours including the 2018, “Defender of Press Freedom Award” by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) among others.
In January 2024, Mr. Ojo was named by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), based in Kampala, Uganda, as one of 10 digital rights experts across Africa who have played a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s digital and Internet freedom advocacy landscape over the past 10 years.
Telecom
QNET Named ‘Direct Selling Company of the Year’ at AfriTECH 4.0 Awards
QNET, a leading global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been honored with the prestigious “Direct Selling Company of the Year” award at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards.
This recognition underscores QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa.
The award was presented to QNET by Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards. Onwuegbuchi commended QNET for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth across the continent.
He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation.
Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
He emphasized QNET’s dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Africa.
Fall highlighted the company’s impact on the Nigerian economy, particularly through its advanced technology and robust e-commerce platform.
“QNET’s participation in this event further solidified its position as a key player in the region’s digital transformation journey.
“We are committed to staying in Nigeria, our biggest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to the region’s development,” Fall stated.
During his keynote speech, Fall underscored QNET’s commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and skill development.
He highlighted the FinGreen financial literacy program, which has already trained over 1,350 young people in Nigeria to make informed financial decisions.
Fall also emphasized the potential of direct selling to drive economic growth in Africa. “Our e-commerce-driven direct-selling model provides opportunities for income generation across more than 100 countries, helping individuals pursue their goals while contributing to community growth,” he explained.
Addressing the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and cash dependency in Africa, Fall stressed the importance of financial inclusion for e-commerce growth.
He called for collaboration to accelerate financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in Africa, fostering a financially inclusive future for the continent.
Telecom
Martin Ekpeke Honored with Digital Reporting Excellence Award @ATAEx
Martin Ekpeke, Managing Editor of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards.
The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape.
“We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award.
“His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation.
Ekpeke expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive this award.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ITPulse team.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality, informative content that empowers our readers to navigate the complex digital world.”
The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and institutions driving digital transformation in Africa.
This year’s event brought together tech enthusiasts, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.
Telecom
NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.
He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.
Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.
The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.
She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.
The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.
Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.
The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.
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