E-Business
The Source Computer Wins Cisco’s Extreme Makeover Contest
Cisco, worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate has announced that The Source Computer Limited, a Lagos based IT firm specialising in sales, repairs, maintenance and support of DELL computer systems has won the Nigerian Cisco Extreme Makeover Contest.
The contest, launched in January 2008, was targeted at the small and medium business segment of the Nigerian economy. Representatives from Cisco Nigeria marked this win with a courtesy visit to the offices of the winner to congratulate them. Cisco’s experts will analyse the winning company’s needs and instigate a renewal of its technological platform with Cisco integrated solutions including a brand new fully integrated Cisco network with Voice, Video, Wireless Communication and Desktop Applications.
The Cisco Extreme Business Makeover competition was open to all businesses in Nigeria, employing between 8 and 250 people, which had been trading for 3 or more years. To take part and qualify for this contest, participating businesses had to answer the questions that appeared on the Extreme Makeover website at www.nigeria.ciscomakeover.com on or before 16th of March, 2008. A panel of judges comprising ICT and SMB industry experts adjudicated the entrants to determine the winner.
According to Owen Nwelih, Cisco’s marketing manager for English speaking West Africa, "The opportunity to enjoy world class communications, a robust network that will increase competitiveness, enhance productivity and serve customers better was highly irresistible to small and medium businesses throughout Nigeria. The response we received in terms of entries – over a thousand companies registered for entry into the contest- far exceeded our expectations and this revealed to us the extent of passion and readiness Nigerians have for IT and improved service delivery with IT as a leveraging partner". Eligible entries were evaluated in a 3-stage process after which a shortlist of 15 contestants emerged. The 15 finalists were notified by email and were further evaluated via another set of technical and business related questions. This last phase of evaluation produced the winner.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Ego Boyo, Managing Director, Temple Productions said, "This was not an easy contest to judge especially at the final round, but The Source Computers Limited demonstrated excellent business ethics, creativity and ability to do business in Nigeria and also a willingness to develop critical aspects of their business. We are delighted with our choice."
"I was not even aware of the contest or that the firm had been entered", said Victor Onyejiuwa, Chief Executive Officer of the winning firm. "It was one of my employees who informed me of a notification he had received via e-mail on winning the Cisco Extreme Business Makeover contest he entered on behalf of the firm with a grand prize of $40,000 worth of Cisco equipment and solutions". He added that "I was exhilarated and at the same time skeptical because it sounded too good to be true. However, today I have had Cisco executives come over and their strategic partners Signal Alliance have surveyed my business equipment and IT infrastructure – my skepticism has now been replaced with anticipation!"
The Extreme Business Makeover Contest was initiated to help enhance awareness by the small and medium business segment of the availability of cutting edge ICT tools and equipment with which they can enhance business productivity. According to Vincent Entonu, Territory Market Manager for English Speaking West Africa, "Cisco understands the unique issues facing small and medium business and provides the solutions that can help you keep pace with today’s competitors. We recognize that they need a simple yet sophisticated solution to enhance the way employees communicate with customers, partners, and one another to help in staying ahead when facing fierce competition from both large from international corporations and small, technology-enabled companies".
After a thorough survey by Cisco’s strategic partner Signal Alliance who would be working closely with Cisco on the deployment of the winning firm’s solution, The Source Computers has won $40,000 worth of Cisco Solutions including security and VPN solutions as well as Cisco’s recently launched SMB solution, Smart Business Communications System which will be deployed over the next few weeks.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has launched a new digital identity verification tool called the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) application.
The initiative, which forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to strengthen the country’s national digital identity management framework.
The launch builds upon Nigeria’s comprehensive unified digital identity system that has been transforming access to financial services and government programs.
The NINAuth application introduces several key features focused on data security and privacy.
The platform requires explicit user consent before sharing identity information for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, giving individuals greater control over their personal data.
The system provides seamless access to various government services, including SIM card registration, immigration applications, passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions.
The development follows significant investment in Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, including a $45.5 million support from the World Bank as part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.
As the official service for integration with NIMC’s backend infrastructure, NINAuth enables secure verification processes across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The application is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store for users of the National Identification Number (NIN).
The rollout represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to digitize government services and strengthen identity verification processes.
“NINAuth is a cutting-edge suite of services including web, API, and mobile verification designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC.
“The platform introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
The implementation supports the objectives of the recently established Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, which oversees the country’s digital identity initiatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the launch of the NINAuth app and directed its use for verification and authentication across all MDAs.
The application provides a secure single sign-on solution for accessing government services and social protection programs while maintaining strict data privacy controls.
The centralized approach to digital identity management represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to modernizing government services.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has set in motion a machinery to checkmate the booming copyright piracy market in the country.
Copyright piracy is said to cost Nigeria an annual loss estimated at billions of naira.
Despite the absence of a coordinated or official statistics to gauge the quantum of loss, John Asein, director general, NCC, said as far back as 2019, Nigeria lost N918 trillion ($3 billion) annually to digital piracy.
The financial damages severely impact local businesses and innovation efforts.
The commission, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), has started a project to develop strategies and tools to address the menace.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the WIPO project to address online copyright piracy in Nigeria, Asein said digital technologies have unlocked tremendous opportunities for the creative and innovation sectors.
The NCC boss said technology also poses serious challenges, including online piracy, which he said is growing rapidly.
He said: “Pirate sites continue to emerge rapidly, with statistics indicating a 6.7 per cent increase in user visits. A significant percentage of these users are students aged between 18 and 24, with social media and messaging platforms becoming major gateways for accessing pirated content.”
He added: “No industry is immune. The most affected sectors include television (43.6 per cent), publishing (27.5 per cent), film (12.9 per cent), music (7.0 per cent), and software (6.2 per cent).
“Far beyond mere statistics, the victims are no longer only foreign right owners. Many Nigerians in these sectors have also been bruised and their creative enterprises ruined.”
Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has signed an international mail partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for improved delivery access to over 200 countries without middlemen.
Tolani Odeyemi, postmaster-general and chief executive officer of NIPOST, described the deal as a “major milestone” for the country’s logistics and postal sector.
In a statement on X on Monday, Odeyemi explained that the new agreement marks NIPOST’s first direct international airline partnership for several years.
“For a long time, NIPOST operated without any direct partnerships with international airlines, relying heavily on multiple third-party handlers,” the Postmaster-General stated. This often resulted in delays, higher costs, and uncertainty around the delivery of packages.”
She explained that under the new arrangement, KLM will directly handle all outbound international mail from Nigeria, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
“This translates to faster and more reliable delivery, reduced risk of loss or damage, lower handling charges, and access to over 200 countries through KLM’s global network,” the Postmaster-General stressed.
According to Odeyemi, NIPOST’s breakthrough came after it began settling long-standing debts owed to international carriers, a step she said was key to “rebuilding global trust” in Nigeria’s postal system.
She revealed that talks were also ongoing with Ethiopian Airlines to bolster regional and continental logistics, particularly on African and Eastern routes.
“Our goal is clear and unwavering: to connect Nigeria regionally and globally, efficiently, securely, and affordably,” Odeyemi asserted.
The NIPOST CEO described the development as a significant win for Nigerian businesses and small and medium-scale enterprises that rely on international shipping, stating, “You now benefit from quicker, more affordable international shipping, greater peace of mind with improved reliability, and new potential to reach and grow in global markets.”
Odeyemi commended the teams behind the scenes and pledged continued improvements in service delivery, adding that the deal signals a turning point for the agency.
Nigerians May Pay More for Calls, Data as Senate Okays 5 Percent Excise Duty
W’Bank Says Cash Transfer Missed Millions of Needy Nigerians
EFCC Tells Nigerians to Shun Ponzi Schemes Like CBEX, Others
NIMC Launches NINAuth Digital Identity Verification App for Govt Services
NCC to Checkmate $3Bn Digital Piracy Market
E-Business2 days agoNIN: FG Increases DoB Update Fee by 75Percent to N28,574
Broadcasting2 days agoAfreximbank Unveils Third Edition of Short Film Competition ‘Creative Africa Nexus’
General News2 days agoNIMASA Embraces Technology to Strengthen Regulatory Mandate
E-Business2 days ago10 Percent of Nigerians Affected by Data Breaches since 2004
News2 days agoSERAP Challenges CBN to Publish Local Government Allocations
Telecom2 days agoMTN Commits $10Bn to Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Intensifies Fight Against Ponzi Schemes With Market
News2 days agoCFUIS Expands to Nigeria, Boosting U.S. Immigration and Business Opportunities