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Friday, November 30, 2018
Techno trends its Winners of the Mega Game Promo.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
NiRA Bloggers Summit: Maiden edition in October 2018.
Monday, July 23, 2018
The Nigeria ICT RoadMap: Building the pathway forward.
In an effort by the Ministry of Communications to deepen the penetration and administration of the Information Communication Technology in Nigeria, various stakeholders were invited for a sensitization workshop. The focus was on the role of the Private Sector.
The workshop was moderated by the CEO of TLDS, Principal Partner on Local Content Diplomacy (LCD). The new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry welcomed the participants to the workshop and highlighted a few points on the need for the workshop.
The Minister of Communications delivered his keynote address and the official launch of the Roadmap. He invited the stakeholders and participants to engage the ministry on the need to develop policies, guideline and ensure that the spirit of the roadmap is achieved on or before the year 2020. Recall that the document was muted and conceived in 2016 at a Sector Retreat, which identified seven (7) key lessons. The Roadmap is expected to be galvinesd by four (4) pillars to achieve the objectives of the ICT Roadmap.
Major stakeholders called on the need for government to address a policy on reduce the tax on local content service-providers and create initiatives to promote low price with global standard. Key request was the creation of a Standing Order to protect all ICT Infrastructure as Critical National Assets.
ICTLOCA called on ICT Local Content Members to report any erring MDAs to enable it fulfill its mandate on monitoring the implementation of Local Content from a Private Sector Perspective and ensure that Private Sector Companies who deal with government comply with the guidelines for Local Content Development in ICT 2013 and other similar legislation of government.
The Minister called on stakeholders to take advantage of his open door policy to digest available documents on the Ministry website (www.commtech.gov.ng) and send their responses to the secretariat for action.
Adebunmi Akinbo
Friday, July 13, 2018
NiRA .ng Awards 2018: Celebrating achievements and innovation.
Receiving the Award on behalf of Dr. Adeola Odeyemi, recipient of the NiRA Special Recognition Award. |
This culminated into the night of history and fun, recognition of people and profiles such as the father of Computer in Nigeria, Dr.Adeola Odeyemi, initiator of Debis Computer and currently CEO of Verit Herbal Limited. He was represented Shina Badaru, CEO of Technology Times and member of the Board of Trustee and Adebunmi Adeola Akinbo, Otunba Local Content and CEO of KOBOKINGs Limited. Dr. Odeyemi got the Presidential Award tagged the NiRA Special Recognition Award.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
NIGF 2018 holds in Abuja.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
2018 .NG AWARDS VOTING COMMENCE
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) in its recent Press Release call on the general public to participate in its 2018 .ng Awards. scheduled to hold on Friday, July 6, 2018 in Lagos by 6:00pm.
NiRA appreciate the active participation of the internet users in developing the DNS industry in Nigeria and look forward to a successful 2018 .ng Awards Ceremony. Recall that this event is the third (3rd) edition of the .ng Awards.
To vote for your preferred organization in the different award categories, kindly cast your votes via www.nira.org.ng/ngawards
Voting starts by Thursday 10th May 2018 till midnight Friday, 22nd May, 2018. Members of the public are encouraged to cast their vote for their preferred organization(s).
For more information about the .ng, please visit www.nira.org.ng. To register .ng domain name(s), please contact a NiRA Accredited Registrar via www.nira.org.ng/ng.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
.ng Awards: NiRA extends nomination deadline.
Friday, March 16, 2018
NiRA Press Release: The Third (3rd) .ng Awards commences
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Who is Chima Onyekwere ?
Elder (Chief) Chima Uzoma Apugo Onyekwere, OON hails from Amachara in Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State. He attended the elite Federal Government College, Kano, which unwittingly served as a first level learning platform in understanding and appreciating Nigeria's fundamental complexities and the character and personalities of the major actors in the Nigerian political drama.
He further obtained a degree from University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. A Masters in Information Technology- Information Assurance from UMUC. A post graduate professional management education for Chief Executives from Lagos Business School Lagos State and Harvard Business School, Boston USA. He is an active and effective Alumni of both Business Schools, and their very rich pool of contacts and opportunities that can be harvested in the service of our Nation. These are part of the formidable academic armory Chima secured.
He Started his working career in Mobil in the Exploration Department. But driven by his quest to explore the emerging opportunities in the nascent Information Technology Industry he established and ran Saap-Tech Nigeria Limited in 1986, www.saaptechafrica.com which was a technology distribution Company and a pioneer company and leader in ICT from then onwards.
Born Innovator, he championed the internet revolution in Nigeria by establishing the first Internet Service providing (ISP) company Linkserve Limited www.linkserve.net which earned him the sobriquet “Father of Nigerian Internet” by the Federal Government of Nigeria cited during his conferment in 2008. He also received the Pathfinder Award in ICT, ICT personality of the year, Titan of Technology and so many other awards industry awards over a thirty (30) Years career.
He has also funded other companies such as, Well Drill Limited and Parkhill Limited which has provided employment and stability to lots of Nigerians from across the Nigerian landscape.
In 2007, he was nominated for the conferment of a National Award by the Presidency for his pioneering work in ICT. On February 14th 2008, then President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Musa Yar’Adua Awarded him the prestigious National honour of OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF NIGER (OON).
Chima has served and is still serving Nigeria in so many High-Profile Boards such as Chairman Internet exchange Point www.ixp.net.ng and Chairman Board of Trustee of Nigeria Internet Registration Authority www.nira.org.ng. He also served as a pioneer board member of FATE Foundation www.fatefoundation.com (an NGO involved in the development of entrepreneurs focusing on younger generation).
He also served as a President General of his elite school Federal Government College Kano Old Students Association.
In 2011, Chima moved back to Amachara, Umuahia to engage in community development from his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. A move that saw him experience, first hand, the poor level of all developmental milestones in the lives of our people. Haunted by the observance of lack of basic infrastructure, frightening figures of unemployment, lack of primary skill sets, abysmal education and rampaging hunger amongst our people, Chima chose to cast his lot in service to the people at the most primary level by accepting the honor of community service to his village, Amachara as president General, a position he has held for 5 years running and which has served as a platform for better understanding the most needful requirements of our people. With his team, he resolved several nagging communal disputes: land, commerce, agricultural practices and other major matters of interest. He championed the now acclaimed Amachara Day which is in its 5th year and waxing stronger, and currently stands as an annual unification event for Amachara citizens in Nigeria and the diaspora and also a veritable tool for community development. Chima, worked with others to start a daily free clinic for children and the elderly, located and optimally functional within the precincts of the Amachara community Civic center, caring for society's most vulnerable population.
He has partnered and endowed several empowerment programs, where skill set acquisition is key, taking to heart the Chinese adage that says "it is better to teach a man to catch fish than to give him fish". He has also helped in the acquisition of tools and machinery for trainees and various others so they can have a head start. He has assisted many young and aspiring business men through funding and logistics, and engaged others to help with business incubation requisites, and provided scholarship schemes to the indigent and financial succor to the bewildered widow.
Thus, it is in the course of his role as community leader that he suffered gunshot attacks as a result of his resolve to defend the oppressed but was never deterred on a course he was determined to pursue in the service of humanity.
He is an ordained Elder and a Qualified Lay Preacher in Methodist Church. Presently servicing as the church Steward for English Service at the St Stephen Cathedral Amachara in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.
Chima Onyekwere was On December 26th 2017, within the hallowed grounds of Ama-Ukwu, Amachara, conferred with the traditional Chieftaincy title of Iyi Udo Amachara (River of Peace), by AMACHARA ELDERS COUNCIL, for his Sterling qualities of remarkable leadership. This is the first time ever of such a conferment with all the elders in the community endorsing. His citation acknowledged his love for peace, leadership competency and ability to draw development and transformation to his community.
Iyi Udo Amachara is an amazing family man, husband and father to five accomplished now independent children one of whom is Nigeria's representative in shot-put and discuss. He's a celebrated business man, a role model, a proven community servant and leader, an outstanding trailblazer whose skills, courage, depth, vision and reach are needful for these times.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye: Worthy Models.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
The Negative impact of Governor Ajimobi: Shittu writes APC.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
The Argument for Buhari
I participated actively in the electoral campaign that brought in the Buhari administration at the highest level. On the strength of the work i did with other Volunteers at the Buhari Support Organizations, i was nominated into the APC Presidential Campaign Council's Media & Publicity Directorate.
During the campaign and after election some of my colleagues and co-volunteers asked me about my expectations. I told all who cared to listen that i would not expect much in the first 4 years because it would be tough but i prayed for the best. I knew Buhari and his team would only be able to clear the debris of the mess already created by Jonathan's administration. I was clear that Buhari's second coming will be to restart the country.
Nigerians will not see the positive impact of the government until the 4th year i reckoned.
I also admonished my colleagues to moderate their expectations in terms of what they hope to benefit as individuals and for the country because Nigeria wont become Dubai, London and Paris in 4years. And all the problems wont disappear just because Buhari has become the President.
I learnt early in life to appreciate the circumstances around me. My upbringing also helped me to learn how to moderate my expectations from anyone.
I have seen posts and comments of those who are apologetic and expressed regret for voting for Buhari. What were they expecting? That Buhari will turn stone to bread? Some said he has not fulfilled his campaign promises. Are campaign promises meant to be fulfilled in two years or in the life of an administration?
What did Buhari promise? And in two years has the administration really failed on them? The answer is no. The administration has done very well in fulfilling the campaign promises under the broad themes of the Fight Against Corruption, Economic Diversification and Security. The administration has relentlessly pursued the three broad thematic focus with missionary zeal.
We had an administration that inherited a broken down country that was at the brink of collapse. Nigeria was buffeted by Boko Haram, Kidnapping, Militancy, Armed Robbery, Criminal Armed Herdsmen and Rustlers, industrial scale corruption and impunity never seen in history.
The economy despite 5 years unprecedented oil boom collapsed since late 2013 when previous administration had been borrowing from China to buy arms and other lenders to pay salaries. By 2014 States were already in trouble with months of unpaid salaries to workers. By May 29, 2015 when Buhari took over Nigeria was already on life support with 33 states owing between 12 and 8 months workers salaries and that of pensioners. The price of crude, the only major source of foreign exchange had plummeted to about $30 per barrel from the height of $120.
It was obvious Buhari was starting from below ground zero. What should have been done 30 years ago are the things the administration is still battling with. Getting Nigeria out of this morass wont be a picnic.
It will be serious hardwork. The administration that earned a record $440 Billion oil revenue in 5years and highest in Nigeria's history didn't improve infrastructure beyond tokenism, depleted foreign reserve, demolished Excess Crude Account, accumulated more foreign and local debts, owed contractors, left unpaid N600billion fuel subsidy bill, unpaid N60billion fertilizer subsidy bill, unpaid salaries and pension arrears for workers and retirees.
Nigeria was down and out. A consumerist economy where anything and everything were imported with unsustainable import bills and demand of Forex will go down. It was an economy built on consumption and oil revenue.
What has Buhari done?
Buhari administration identified the implosion and civil unrest that will happen with distressed 33 states owing salaries. He approved bailout funds to the state to help them pay salaries and pension arrears. For two years, the states have been given special funds and Paris Club refund in excess of N2trillion.
The administration paid N600b inherited fuel subsidy bill. Paid N60b inherited fertilizer subsidy bill. Paid inherited salaries and pension arrears of Federal workers. Started paying contractors that have not been paid since 2013 on Federal projects especially road construction across the country.
To diversify the economy away from crude oil, President Buhari insisted Nigeria must produce locally things we can produce easily and he anchored this on Agriculture and Solid Minerals. The two sectors have consistently grown in contribution to GDP in the last two years according to NBS quarterly reports.
Nigeria has cut import bill by more than 50 per cent on rice and ramping up production in wheat and other produce. The FG through CBN banned 41 items from accessing forex from official Windows. This was mercilessly criticized by the 'experts' but the Buhari administration is winning the argument today with increased local production and industrial capacity utilisation by factories/manufacturers sourcing raw materials locally.
With the rice and wheat success in Kebbi and other states especially in the north, private capital is flowing into the processing sector of the agriculture value chain. Wacot just opened N10b Rice Mill, Dangote opened Tomatoe Paste Factory in Kano, Olam will commission N20billion Livestock Feed and Chicken Hatchery Plant in Kaduna in September among other investors.
Buhari went to Morocco and signed a deal on Phosphate and Gas pipeline between Nigeria and the North Africa nation. The phosphate is a major component for fertilizer production. With the deal the FG working with the Sovereign Wealth Fund had reactivated 11 moribund fertilizer Blending Plants in Nigeria in the last 1 year that have created 50,000 jobs and producing 1.3metric tonnes of fertilizer. Today the N50b annual fertilizer subsidy is gone while a bag of fertilizer sells for N5,500 which is 30 per cent cheaper than what it used to sell while the FG no longer pay N6000 subsidy per bag for farmers. Six more dead Fertilizer Blending Plants will come back to life before end of the year and Nigeria will be in a position to start exporting fertilizer.
Segun Adeniyi, Chairman Editorial Board of Thisday and a Buhari arch-critic couldn't hide his praise in his recent Thisday Backpage Column where he wrote that a revolution is happening in Nigeria's agricultural sector under Buhari with millions of Nigerians now embracing farming and with increased local production of fertilizer from the 11 revamped Blending Plants.
On infrastructure, the government under Buhari is spending more money to revive abandoned projects - roads, power, rail, pipelines, housing etc. The Lagos-Ibadan rail project has started. The administration has negotiated foreign loan that will connect the entire country by rail network from Lagos to Calabar and Port Harcourt to Kano. The Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard Guage rail line that had been abandoned since 1987 has been reactivated and FG already set June 2018 as date when it will be commissioned.
Despite acute low revenue, the Buhari administration is saving more money into the ECA and boosting Foreign Reserve. The Foreign Reserve went up by over $500million by CBN records last week. To further stimulate the economy the administration recently approved N2trillion Bond to pay local contractors who have been owed by FG for 10years. A committee is working to verify all debts to contractors already.
The same government for the first time in our recent history is committed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and National Productivity with Executive Orders already yielding positive results with some MDAs such as Immigration, Customs, FRSC, FIRS, CAC, NPA etc.
If previous administrations had done what Buhari administration is doing now our development trajectory as a country would have been far better than we currently have.
The President is confronting corruption squarely. The administration is recovering billions of naira, hundreds of Millions in dollars in cash and real estate never done before. He confronted corruption in the Armed Forces and touched serving and retired Generals. He confronted corruption in the Judiciary and broke the unwritten code of Judicial untouchables. It is only a Buhari without a moral and corruption baggage that could do these.
I should think these are what those who genuinely campaigned and voted for Buhari asked for and wanted him to do.
The local and global inventors' confidence in the economy is at an all time high because of the global approval rating of the President and the fight against corruption. Market Capitalisation at the Stock Exchange was at N13trilion last, week breaking 3 years record. Nigeria just reclaimed the 3rd position as the destination for FDIs in Africa with $4.6billion inflow in 2016 following Angola and Egypt after 5years year on year decline from 2010-2015 under Jonathan administration. The government that had unprecedented oil revenue and a super Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
All these happening in two years under an administration that was challenged with low revenue yet the administration is still investing in social intervention programs- School Feeding for primary school pupils which has taken off in 19 states, NPower which has employed over 200,000 jobless young people who are now adding value to the communities where they work and to themselves.
I recognize missed steps and areas where things should have been done better especially proper coordination at governmental and inter-agencies levels. These are not reasons to be disillusioned or regret voting out a government that wrecked Nigeria.
At this point i can only pray and wish President Buhari good health and may he return strong and healthy enough to finish the second half of his 4years tenure.
If he will be on the ballot in 2019, God sparing our lives, i will campaign and vote for him again. Nigeria needs 8years of his steady hands to clear the mess with a solid foundation that a younger and visionary successor will build on.
In my estimation, Nigeria needs at least 20 years of focused and honest leadership to be a great country we want.