News
Presidency Owns NPB, Sponsors Executive Bill
After several years in limbo, President Goodluck Jonathan is weighing an executive option to expedite the passage of the Nigeria Postal Bill (NPB), a set of all important documents touted as transformative for the postal industry, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.
NPB has been embroiled in web of claims and counter charges since 2004 after stakeholders began moves to rejig the industry, but the bill might not be dead after all.
A source close to the presidency said that President Jonathan sees the postal sector as a major catalyst in the socio-economic and political emancipation of the country.
“What has happened is that the President has been persuaded to send the Nigeria Postal Bill as executive bill to the National Assembly and use his political weight to see to its passage” the source said.
According to the source, the bill when passed into law will establish the legal and regulatory framework, institutions and regulatory authorities for the Nigerian Postal industry and establish guidelines for the operation of players in the sector.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the presidency move is coming on the heels of displeasure expressed by some industry players over the move by Nigeria Postal Service (Nipost) which acts as a regulator and operator in the industry to introduce new tariff regime.
Nipost however maintained that there were no ambiguity in the operation of Nipost and the courier service operators.
The draft national IT policy has also done little or nothing to recognize the important place of the postal industry.
Instead, the policy among others seeks: “to reflect convergence by de-emphasising the differences between the IT, broadcasting, telecommunications and postal sectors”
The policy remain mute on the much vexed issue of Nigerian Postal Service operating as both a regulatory agency and service provider.
Operators insisted that if the industry is properly situated, it could contribute as much as four (4) per cent to the national gross domestic product (GDP).
In the absence of reliable statistics, it is hard to estimate how much the industry currently contributes to the GDP.
At the end of 2010 the annual turnover of the industry was put at some N350 million.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the absence of structure and new set of laws have all served to hobble the industry.
The industry is also plagued by myriad of problems ranging from activities of quacks; loss of mails; poor public perception; dearth of infrastructure; high operating costs; and operational inefficiency; among others.
The Nigeria Postal Bill was begun in 2005 but seven year running, spanners are still at work on the document.
Elsewhere, the draft ICT policy notes that Nigeria’s postal sector comprises of Nipost as the dominant operator and regulator of the industry.
Also, there are some 250 licensed private courier service operators in the country, in addition to a large number of courier grey market operators.
According to the draft ICT policy, the dual role of Nipost as a regulator and operator compromises its effectiveness as a regulator.
Rising in defense of Nipost, Mallam Mori Ibrahim Baba, postal master general of Nigeria, insisted that there were no ambiguity in the operation of Nipost and the courier service operators.
“Nipost is offering a national service, and that does not stop us from effectively regulating the industry. We do not stifle competition, only that we are working to clean the system of unregistered postal operators,” said Baba.
Telecommunications services provider, Globacom, has admonished Nigerian workers to reflect on more ways of contributing further to the growth of the country.
In a solidarity message on the occasion of the 2024 International Workers’ Day, the company noted that Nigerian workers were resilient in spite of the challenges they encounter in the course of discharging their duties.
The telecommunications giant further noted that the story of Nigeria cannot be adequately chronicled without acknowledging the immense contributions of workers, both in the public and private sectors.
The day is observed on May 1 yearly in recognition of the contributions of workers all over the world and to advance fairer and more sustainable future by advocating for workers’ rights.
“We salute Nigerian workers on this day and commend them for the hard work, commitment, resourcefulness and industry which are essential for the growth of the economy of any nation,” Globacom said.
CWG Plc has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering value to shareholders. Following a thorough review of the company’s financial performance and outlook, the Board of Directors has approved a substantial increase of 400per cent in dividend payout to shareholders.
This decision reflects CWG’s confidence in its financial stability, growth trajectory, and ability to generate sustainable returns. By enhancing the dividend payout, CWG aims to reward shareholders for their continued trust and support while reaffirming its commitment to creating long-term value.
Mr. Philip Obioha, Chairman of the Board of Directors at CWG Plc, said, “The decision to approve a 400% increase in dividend payout underscores our confidence in CWG’s performance and outlook. We are dedicated to delivering value to our shareholders and believe that this significant dividend increase is a testament to our commitment to shareholder value creation.”
This increase in dividend payout aligns with CWG’s strategic objectives to prioritize shareholder interests and maintain strong financial discipline. The Board remains committed to prudent financial management and sustainable growth, ensuring that CWG continues to be a reliable investment for shareholders.
As CWG continues to execute its growth strategy and expand its presence in the market, the Board anticipates that the increased dividend payout will further strengthen investor confidence and support CWG’s vision for the future.
CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, a certified global ICT company with over two million online subscribers, is delighted and proud to announce Prof. Yakub Aliyu, as the keynote speaker at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture series 2024.
Aliyu, will be speaking on the theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Good, The Complex and The Anticipated”, this leans heavily on the fact that AI changing our lives– we just need to know where to look today.
This year’s rebranded Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series is slated for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.
The event is the most prestigious annual event that brings together captains of industry in both technology and financial worlds.
According to Ken Nwogbo, CEO, Communication Week Media Ltd, organisers of the ABoICT Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series, “the choice of Prof. Yakub Aliyu is deliberate because of his exceptional career in Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.
He added that, AI is considered to have the potential to instigate a fourth industrial revolution,1 and is dramatically changing people’s patterns of interaction and economic activities.
“The traditional factors of production and physical capital and labour may no longer promote substantial economic growth. It is generally believed that AI will be one of the most important factors determining future economic growth,” he said.
A professor of microelectronics and a scholar-practitioner in artificial intelligence and deep machine learning for industrial applications and high-speed application processors. His research interests include Multimodal AI models for high-efficiency industrial robot applications and Human AI interactions.
He also has adjunct academic professorships at five African, USA, and UK universities. Holds a BS in Applied Physics Electronics from Karlsruhe and A Bello Universities in Germany and Nigeria, an MBA in International Business Management from the University of London, an MSEE (Master of Engineering, Electronics), and a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Wales.
Prof. Aliyu is the global quality director for Bourns Inc., Riverside, California, USA, an electronics system, and components manufacturer. I oversee quality functions in 21 factories worldwide.
He has also held quality and operational management leadership positions at National Semiconductors, Bell Labs-Lucent Technology, Texas Instrument, Global Foundries, and Roper Technologies USA.
Authored and coauthored over 30 Advanced Technology United States-issued patents in High-Speed Application Processors and Contributed to over 40 international impact Journals, chapters, and conferences; FASI, SMIEEE USA, MIEE UK, M. Inst pf Physics Chartered Phys and C Eng UK.
Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in Counterparty Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.
Others are: Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dr. Seyi Akindeind, co-founder, Digital Encode; Dr Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Director, Africa Data Centres.
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