General News
Number Portability Should not be by Decree —Toure
Dr. Hamadoun Toure, secretary general of International Telecommunications Union (ITU), one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. He has been promoting the Connect Africa initiative, a $55 billion project to improve Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure. Toure, visited the country recently, and took time out to spoke with chike onwuegbuchi in Abuja on issues in telecommunications around the world.
Fight Against Cybercrime
You can’t fight cybercrime without adequate legislations; you need to have national legislations and those national legislations need to be harmonized at the international level as well. Legislation is among our five pillars of the global cybersecurity agenda. In addition to legislation that also need to be harmonized includes technical readiness, you need to have organizational structure in the country which involves all stakeholders in fact ministries from youth, education to health. Countries also need to have very good capacity building programmes which requires the various law enforcement agencies working together which will help them to be knowledgeable enough to fight cybercrime.
The last important thing is international cooperation so that these cybercriminal can be track down, because criminals know no boundary in the space. I’m very pleased to notice that Nigeria is now ready to put in place cybercrime legislation. It is something that will be put in the parliament very soon according to Minister of Information and Communications. This will go a long way to resolve many issues, as you know, unfortunately, many criminals at the cyberspace are using Nigerian’s name, and some of these criminals using Nigerians name have never being to the country. Unless something is done those people outside the country will spoil Nigeria name and the name of the continent. In order for people to do business in this country, you need to ensure that these criminals are not using unfairly the country’s name, so we can fight these criminals together.
I like this little cartoon long time ago, where a dog with puppy, they were sitting operating a computer on the keyboard, the father was telling the puppy, “In the cyberspace no one knows that you are a dog.” Unfortunately, people steal the identity of other people and claim to be them, in order to commit heinous crimes in the cyberspace. That has to be stopped. We also have to ensure that the legislations take account of the commitment of not harboring terrorist in the country, which is the commitment not to attack other countries in the cyberspace. The next world war could be waged in the cyberspace, and that will be a disastrous war because of the way we rely on the cyberspace.
Platform for Broadband Infrastructure
In this arena all countries are coming at the same level, there is no such thing as developed or developing countries. We are all dealing with new technologies with new things were nobody has been trained to be a regulator; there is no university for that. Technology is always advancing and regulation is following technology. We need to ensure that it is catching up with technology.
I’m very pleased with the regulation in this country. The results are there to show that it is working. We also have some other countries that are doing well such as Egypt, Morocco, and some neighbouring countries such as Ghana that has a very good regulatory environment. Those African countries are really contributing heavily in the global discussion on telecommunications development. The necessary human capital is here in Nigeria you have to make good use of them. You need to create a good understanding between the government and the regulator, there has to be accomplishes in a positive way to aim for the same, and that can be done, then, the players will be obliged to follow. Broadband technology is accessible by fibre optic but you have wireless broadband as well and these technologies are there. In 2007, when we organized the last World Radio Conference, we set-up enough bandwidth structure for the wireless technologies that will serve the world for the next 30 years. Last time we had World Radio Conference that made changes to the radio allocation was in 1947, those allocations lasted 60 years. We are advancing now and I can safely say that the 2007 resolution will go along way to address wireless bandwidth challenges for the next 30 years.
Number Portability
Number portability should not be decided by decree, it is just like rules on interconnect rate, you cannot decree them. What you can do is to analyze them and the market. When the market reaches some maturity point or stagnation, then you take some regulatory decision to solve that. I think Number Portability is one of the next things that NCC will deal with, because of the level of maturity, the moment you reach 50% of penetration the remaining 50% are lower users. What will happen is that competition will not focus on new customers but the services and application the operators are giving to them. Therefore, in order to boost that competition, Number Portability will be one key catalyst to oblige operators to give those new services and applications, because if they don’t, as number portability is available their customers will go else where. That is a natural thing that will come, and again market forces will dictate that.
UN on People with Disability and Telecom services
In this convention the task of ITU is specific in ensuring that the same principle of having people on wheel chairs, having arms chairs where they can move on are applied in Information and Communications Technology. Last year 2008, the theme for May 17 which is anniversary of ITU and also World Information Society day, was giving telecommunications access to people with disabilities. It is something that is embedded in the works of the Union. We have many organizations that are doing work on that, to ensure that manufacturers are giving the right tools for people with disabilities. We have demonstrated this over the years with so many new tools and applications that can help people with disabilities use telecommunications services. We have demonstrated this last year in Cairo, Egypt during our telecom event; where a paralyzed man who the only thing that can move in his body is his head. He was able to use ICT tools to communicate more. By moving his jaw and his head he could click, there are some cameras that were mounted at him as well as software installed in the system that enables him to communicate. Now he is much more free man. He does not depend on anybody to do some things for him; he sends email to his daughter in Italy. He can dial a phone number and sends a message that can be transcribed immediately into voice. Those are things that are happening and we hope that ICT equipment manufacturers will continue to improve on that. That convention was very key to help us deliver information and communications technology to people with disabilities around the world.
Encouraging IT Development
You need to ensure that you have taxes that are very friendly for those who want to import Information and Communications Technology equipment. Nigeria been a large country is a potential big market. Nigeria is strong enough to create demand where manufacturers can site a factory here that will serve not only Nigeria but other West African market, where we have free movement of people and goods. We need to put strategies together that will attract manufacturing industries here and having a local consumer base is already a big plus, as opposed to smaller countries with less than 10 million people, such markets are small to attract manufacturing companies. Here you have that capability, and you have to use that potential in order to attract manufacturing industries here. With the right vision of leadership those things can be realized. When you have manufacturing industries based here, you create jobs and Universities will be much more involved because research and development need to bring public and private sectors together, and therefore we can apply some of our capabilities. When you train people from developing countries in one single skill such as in software development you have solved a lot of problems, in our daily life in developing world, all we do is survive problems. What is software about? Software is about finding solution to problems. If we train our people in software development they will be more innovating than someone who wakes up just put his hands on the tape and water comes, and press a button light comes. On a daily basis we are fighting for survival and therefore we are coming with solutions and are more innovative when we can come up with new software that nobody could dream of. Therefore, there are immense potential in this continent and in the developing world in general.
The Forthcoming Telecom World 2009
One of the reasons I’m in Nigeria is to gather support for this event which is coming up between October 5 and 9. ITU Telecom World 2009 brings together the most influential representatives of government and information and communications technology (ICT) industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world.
From broadband Internet to latest-generation in wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from convergence in fixed-mobile phone, Internet access, data, voice and TV broadcasting to next-generation networks. ITU is committed to connecting the world.
This event will be a major milestone in addressing the issue of broadband access, and is seen as an important industry event for the developing world, providing an opportunity to benchmark local ICT sectors in terms of policy, regulation, and infrastructure development. It also enables the showcasing of local ICT, and represents an invaluable opportunity to attract inward investment and seek opportunities to engage with ICT companies from the developed world.
ITU Telecom World 2009 is a wide and open network that brings together all the players in the ICT sector. Attendance at this event is the best way to learn about new developments and future plans.
OpenAI has launched Codex, which it regards as its most capable AI coding agent available to ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team subscribers.
Users will have ‘generous access at no additional cost’ for a few weeks, after which OpenAI plans to introduce pricing options and rate-limited access.
Codex, a cloud-based software engineering agent, can write features, answer questions about a codebase, fix bugs, and propose pull requests for review. Several tasks can run simultaneously, and users retain full access to their computers while the agent takes anywhere from one to 30 minutes to complete a task.
The research preview of Codex offers powerful code-writing, debugging, and collaboration features, which mark a major step in OpenAI’s push to automate software development.
“We imagine a future where developers drive the work they want to own and delegate the rest to agents—moving faster and being more productive with AI,” OpenAI said.
Since it is still in research preview, the tool remains in early development. “It currently lacks features like image inputs for front-end work, and the ability to course-correct the agent while it’s working,” the firm said in a blog post.
Additionally, delegating to a remote agent takes longer than interactive editing, which can take some getting used to, it stated. Over time, however, the company said using the service will feel more like asynchronous collaboration with colleagues.
The launch comes as part of a broader rise of AI tools for software engineers that are meant to handle repetitive, boring tasks rather than take over the whole gamut.
OpenAI is reportedly in talks to acquire Windsurf, a maker of AI coding tools, for around $3 billion, which is potentially its largest acquisition to date.
General News
Africa Gears Up For Digital Sovereignty At 13th Edition Of Digital Africa Conference 2025
Africa’s digital destiny will on October 28-29, 2025, take centre stage at the 13th Edition of the Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition (DACE), to be held at Merit House, Abuja, under the theme: “Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global Digital Order.”
At a time when artificial intelligence (AI), smart systems, and data technologies are reshaping societies, economies, and governance structures worldwide, DACE 2025 is sounding a clarion call: ‘Africa must lead, not lag in this transformation.’
Organizers say the aim is to move beyond consumption and dependency, and instead position the continent as a proactive contributor to global digital norms and governance.
“This year’s conference is about shifting from passive adoption to active leadership,” said Dr. Evans Woherem, Chairman, Digital Africa Consult, organisers of the event. “Sovereign Intelligence is more than a concept, it’s a movement to ensure that Africa controls its digital resources, designs its own ethical frameworks, and asserts its voice in shaping global technology norms.”
A Defining Moment for Africa’s Digital Future
Woherem said the conference will serve as a high-level, cross-sectoral platform aimed at positioning Africa as a co-author of global AI governance standards, rather than a mere recipient, assuring that the conversations are expected to align closely with the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, advocating for a united, self-determined digital ecosystem across the continent.
“The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. As the world builds its digital infrastructure, much of the technology consumed in Africa is still imported, foreign-owned, and culturally disconnected. African data is often stored offshore, local languages and cultural contexts remain invisible in AI systems, and African experts are frequently excluded from global decision-making tables.
“This must change. Digital Africa 2025 is about taking control of our data, our narratives, and our technological development. Africa must move from being users of foreign systems to creators of our own,” Woherem added.
Key Objectives of DACE 2025
One of the primary objectives of this year’s event is to advocate for African ownership of digital infrastructure, data policies, and technology standards. Organizers hope to inspire African leaders and institutions to say yes to innovation and regulation built by Africans, for Africans.
Another major focus will be amplifying African voices on the global stage. This involves not only advocating for inclusion in international policy dialogues but also ensuring that African values, cultures, and wisdom shape the design and deployment of AI systems worldwide.
“The conference will also spotlight homegrown innovation. Startups and developers from across the continent will showcase digital solutions addressing local challenges in healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education. These practical examples will reinforce the message that Africa is already generating intelligent, scalable answers to complex problems,” said Nneoma Ofodile, General Manager, Digital Africa.
Empowering young Africans through digital skills, research opportunities, and leadership training is another key goal of the gathering. Organizers are committed to fostering a new generation of African tech leaders who can confidently shape global digital trends from a place of knowledge and ownership.
Regional cooperation will be front and centre, as DACE encourages cross-border collaboration on harmonizing laws, sharing infrastructure, and building integrated digital ecosystems. Sessions will explore how African nations can jointly develop policies and platforms that reflect the continent’s unique needs and aspirations.
While global partnerships will also be on the agenda, the conference aims to deepen Africa’s engagement with international institutions such as UNESCO, the UN, and the OECD, not as passive participants but as co-authors of global standards for ethical and inclusive AI.
Nneoma said that throughout the two-day event, attendees can expect high-level discussions on digital law, tech sovereignty, and innovation policy, alongside practical workshops for developers, educators, and youth. Innovation showcases will highlight the work of African tech hubs, while strategy sessions will promote cross-country digital alignment.
At the close of the event, a concrete roadmap is expected to emerge—outlining actionable steps toward achieving digital sovereignty across the continent. The conference will also aim to strengthen networks among African innovators, regulators, and thinkers, while increasing the visibility of African insights in international technology policy.
Above all, Digital Africa 2025 is about reclaiming agency. “This isn’t just a technology conversation,” Nneoma emphasized. “It’s about power, voice, and independence. Africa must not only catch up; Africa must lead.”
As preparations intensify, DACE 2025 is inviting visionary organizations, sponsors, and partners to join the mission of building a digitally sovereign and inclusive Africa.
IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has continued its impact assessment tour of its oxygen plant projects situated in different hospitals across the country.
The telecommunications infrastructure company visited Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to assess the usage condition of the oxygen plant jointly donated in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in May 2024.
The oxygen plant donation is part of IHS Nigeria’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system through sustainable, impactful initiatives designed to serve health facilities in the state.
Ahead of a tour of the facility, the IHS and UNICEF team were received at the Oyo State Ministry of Health by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Adewunmi Ajetunmobi alongside the Permanent Secretary and other Directors from the Ministry and the Oyo State Hospital Management Board.
The visit, led by senior officials from IHS Nigeria and UNICEF, provided an opportunity to evaluate the plant’s operational efficiency, its integration into critical care delivery, and its broader impact on the state’s healthcare system.
Commenting on the visit, Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria remarked: “At IHS, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our focus spans four key pillars which are Ethics & Governance, Environment & Climate Change, People & Communities and Education & Economic Growth.
This oxygen plant initiative speaks directly to our commitment to people and communities. As we assess the progress of this project, we are reminded of its alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being, responsible consumption, and partnerships for the attainment of the SDG goals.”
“We are here not just to inspect the plant, but to witness the impact, strengthen relationships, and continue building a partnership that delivers real value to Nigerians.” She added.
Health Specialist, UNICEF Lagos, Dr. Olufemi Adeyemi commented: “It is a pleasure to witness the results of our strong collaboration with IHS Nigeria and Oyo State. On behalf of UNICEF, I want to sincerely thank the state for providing an enabling environment that makes impactful partnerships like this possible.
“We are here to assess how well the oxygen plant is performing. We no longer want to see lives lost due to a lack of oxygen. We want to be assured that the investment made is truly saving lives and delivering the impact it was intended to.”
Commissioner of Health, Oyo State, Dr. Oluwaserimi Adewunmi Ajetunmobi expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying: “This partnership between IHS Nigeria and UNICEF is a testament to the power of collaboration in strengthening our healthcare system.
“The oxygen plant at Jericho Specialist Hospital has become a critical asset in our fight to reduce avoidable deaths, especially among newborns and vulnerable patients. It is not just a donation; it is a life-saving intervention that has redefined emergency response capabilities in the state.
“We commend IHS Nigeria and UNICEF for their foresight, dedication, and long-term commitment to healthcare delivery in Oyo State.”
Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health commented on the significance of the oxygen plant and the broader impact of the partnership.
“Before COVID-19, oxygen therapy was not prioritized in most hospitals, government or private. But when the crisis hit, IHS Nigeria and UNICEF didn’t just donate equipment, they identified the gap and moved quickly to close it. This oxygen plant has completely transformed our emergency response system. We’ve gone from scarcity to stability. Patients who once struggled to access oxygen especially those who couldn’t afford it now receive it without delay’’.
“Beyond the donation, IHS and UNICEF brought us a sustainability model, trained engineers, and introduced a more efficient, solar-powered oxygen management system. We’re now extending oxygen access to primary and secondary care centers and even supplying private clinics in crisis. For me, this initiative is not just impactful, it is lifesaving. We are truly grateful and committed to building on this collaboration to ensure long-term impact.” He added.
The oxygen plant is equipped with 50 units of 6-cubic-meter cylinders and 150 units of 3 cubic meter cylinders that currently supplies both private and public hospitals including primary health centers all over Oyo state.
The hospital management acknowledged the difference the plant has made in ensuring prompt availability of oxygen even for primary healthcare centers that are unable to pay, and in improving the medical outcomes for many patients who need oxygen as part of their management.
Recall that earlier this year; the team had visited the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, to evaluate the operational status and impact of the oxygen plant installed in Ogun.
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