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Telecom

Lagos State Begins Move to Transform into Smart City

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L-R: Dr.kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Hakeem Popoola Fahm, commissioner for science and technology and Olatunbosun Alake, Special Adviser to the Governor, Innovation, and Technology at the ongoing Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 (AOT) conference holding at oriental hotel, Lagos.
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The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans that would transform the state from a mega city to a smart city equipped with infrastructure and facilities that work seamlessly to enhance life experiences.

 

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State disclosed this at the ongoing Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 (AOT) conference holding at oriental hotel, Lagos.

 

According to him, “At the inception of our administration, we had a vision of growing Lagos State with a population above 20 million from a mega city to a smart city equipped with infrastructure and facilities that work seamlessly to enhance life experiences.

 

“Our dreams and vision of transforming the landscape of Lagos State was anchored on the pillars of our administration’s “T.H.EM.E.S” philosophy to tackle perceived challenges.

 

“The challenges facing an emerging mega city with the potentials and possibilities available in Lagos State include the administration and management of integrated and intermodal transportation to ease movement of human and material assets, access to human capital development through quality education, promotion of entertainment, arts and culture as socioeconomic enterprise vehicles driven by technology.”

 

The governor also announced that he had set aside N250million seed money to encourage research and development, innovation and ideas creation, as part of his bid to achieve his smart city dream

 

He stated that the fund would be administered by a science, research and innovation council he has constituted.

 

The council would be chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

 

He also noted that the administration is setting aside $687,000 start-up funds for investment in research and development of tech-focused solutions across the six pillars of his administration’s development agenda.

 

The Governor said the establishment of the Council and innovation funds officially began the process of implementing strategies that would help in the realization of the Smart City initiative of the State.

 

He further noted the innovation funds would also be directed to support Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research focusing on solving issues of national significance.

 

The Governor also launched Open Government Initiative, Innovation Master Plan and Lagos State Solution Hub to further drive synergy between policymakers in the public sector and innovators in the private sector.

 

On his part, Olatunbosun Alake, Special Adviser to the Governor, Innovation, and Technology, explained that the goal of the Art of Technology Conference was to seek strategic collaborations with the tech ecosystem and private sectors.

 

Alake said it was pertinent to start driving synergy between policymakers in the public sector and innovators in the private sector as this will go a long way in achieving the smart city ambition.

 

He disclosed that the Lagos State Government is determined to drive its transformation agenda and willing to partner with relevant stakeholders in the various industries.

 

Alake called on young developers and tech startups numbering over 1,500 at the conference to start taking advantage of the Lagos Solutions Hub which was launched by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Hamzat.

 

The Lagos Solutions HUB a platform where proposals, solutions, and ideas are submitted for evaluation.

 

He emphasized that the middle man barrier has been broken through the platform as there is no need for any developer or startup to get familiarised with government officials for their proposals to get attention.

 

Hakeem Popoola Fahm, commissioner for science and technology, speaking at the event, said that the state has embarked on massive deployment of fibre optics that would cover a total of 6000 kilometres, 3000 of that to be achieved in 2020 and the other 3000 in 2021.

 

He noted that the state is installing 2000 high definition cameras for safety and traffic management, which will also aid e-government.

 

According to him Lagos need efficient urban and traffic management, waste disposal and a robust IT infrastructure and connectivity.

 

Fahm said the vision of the Lagos Smart city is to create a community of new shared value initiative.

 

Lagos, he said is on a journey to be a smart city and it can no longer do things the same way.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

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Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.

According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.

The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.

However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.

Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.

Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology,  assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.

To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.

The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.

A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.

As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Globalcom Thrills Subscribers with 3 New Digital Products

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Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.

Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.

The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.

For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.

In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.

Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.

To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and  *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.

Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.

In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.

 


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SiBAN Applauds Interstellar’s Groundbreaking Role in Africa’s Blockchain Future

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The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.

This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.

The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.

According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.

PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.

The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.

SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.

The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.


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