News
NITDA and Peter Jack’s Can of Worms
Given the significance of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) towards broadening Nigeria’s communication frontiers in the global community, the need to sanitize the agency from the cankerworm of corruption becomes cogent more than ever before.
The ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Ministry of Communications, and the House of Representatives into the activities of the erstwhile Mr Peter Jack, director general of NITDA, are in sync with this ideal.
In what seem an unbridled ego-flight stirred by a sense of dare, Jack disregarded Ministerial directive that put on hold employment drive at NITDA by flagrantly employing 245.
Without due process, Jack placed them on very high and strategic positions in NITDA and issued appointment letters to them prior to their mandatory interviews, which negates by any stretch of the imagination Civil Service staff recruitment procedures.
A twist in the NITDA 245 staff drama is the allegation of a conspiracy by NITDA’s management to discredit the whole recruitment process under Jack as a kangaroo arrangement by luring some of its gullible members to lie that their employment was subject to monetary inducements.
This move, in the opinion of the NITDA 245 will not see the light of day because there is ample evidence to show the veracity of their claims.
They insist that there exist a comprehensive list of all those who took part in both the oral and written interviews. This includes the few who came through referrals.
Inside sources at NITDA also reveal Jack’s financial infractions as alarming.
Out of the N1.5 Billion earmarked for 2015 personnel budget, only N800 Million was used. This was due largely to the planned expansion in manpower.
In this vein, personnel budget for 2016 was increased to N2.6Billion to accommodate the salaries of the NITDA 245.
Sadly, neither the extra budgetary allocations for 2016 nor the balance from the N1.5Billiion for the 2015 fiscal year reflected on the wage bill of the new staff.
According to sources, towards the end of the 2015 fiscal year, precisely, from December 29-31, 2015, in frenzy to beat the Federal Government’s deadline to MDAs for remittances of unspent monies or budgetary allocations, Jack swung to action and directed NITDA’s Director of Finance to quickly slush the balance from the N1.5 Billion to various staff accounts in order to evade remittance of unspent NITDA’S funds before the end of the year.
That’s not all. It was learnt too that a little over a year ago, the Board of NITDA embarked on an expansionist drive across the six geopolitical zones in the country and made payments for 6 buildings, one in each zone. Uptil now, the buildings are still unoccupied in 2016 due to lack of manpower.
Integral to the 2015 procurement process was the equipping of the 6 zonal offices of NITDA, which has been put on hold by the Minister, Adebayo Shittu in anticipation of a substantive DG.
The argument championed by Jack and his supporters that financial constraints and operational space are twin elements hampering NITDA’s optimal performance, is therefore, inadmissible.
How else do we explain the annual engagement of close to 200 corpers as manpower aid if not in the light of sufficient space? In itself, this action of using corpers as manpower aid contravenes labour law.
As if Peter Jack’s arrant circumvention of government’s directives or NITDA’s statutory responsibilities to the state are not a blatant rape on the Country’s collective yearnings and aspirations for a vibrant and prosperous Nigeria, he resorted to banal publicity stunts in the media to redeem his battered psyche and public image when his can of worms spilled in the public domain with their stark realities via the current investigations.
Such media stunts, if anything, seek to insult Nigerians sensibilities and serve to reinforce the justification of Jack’s suspension from his exalted perch as DG of NITDA based on facts that tally.
However, in the manner of all things Nigerian, it may not be too presumptive to imagine that there will be some form of justice in this matter if the spate of investigations with regard to Jack’s stewardship in NITDA linger more than necessary.
It is almost 3 months since the investigations began, yet none is absolutely certain when they will end and whether the burden of proof of moral and financial culpability will be established against Jack in view of his apparently well-orchestrated propaganda machinery aimed at giving him a clean bill in public glare.
It is certainly an issue political pundits are currently appraising for they are given to the belief that it comes across as the right Litmus test for President Buhari’s vaulted war against corruption.
Buhari’s ‘change mantra’ and anti-corruption war hangs precariously on the balance if NITDA’s can of worms is swept under the carpet on the altar of political patronage.
That, according to observers, will not fit into Buhari’s no nonsense personà and will not curry his significance as a dependable change agent in contemporary Nigeria. So he must leave no stone unturned in his bid to sanitize the system.
The likes of Jack must therefore be brought to book promptly to deter others from following similar paths. Let them have their day in Court!
Equally instructive too is the fact that there is no leadership vacuum in NITDA with the exit of Jack as his hatchet men are bent on making us believe.
Neither is the notion that Jack was not given fair treatment in his suspension by the Honourable Minister of Communications true.
The facts speak for themselves. That he is yet to face the full wrath of the law is an attestation of how porous our laws are.
Under its Acting DG, Dr. Vincent Olatunji who has shown great commitment to shared vision and excellence, which stands him in good stead as a visionary leader, NITDA’s smooth sail onward is assured. Indeed NITDA is being driven at the moment by a gale inspired by leadership savvy, foresightedness, innovation, and recourse to team play courtesy of the vast experience of Olatunji who is poised not only to reposition the agency but redeem its mandate to fast-track an ICT based economy that can compete favourably in the Information Age.
A sad commentary it is that the 245 staff employed by Jack arbitrarily in NITDA before his suspension seem like soar thumbs in the rather vibrant and promising agency due to their non recognition for remuneration by the Ministry of Communications since there is no budgetary provision for them as captured in the Federal budget.
That is the anomaly Jack fostered on NITDA which the current leadership grapples with – how to pacify these floating members of staff whose remunerations are beyond NITDA’s financial leverage.
Airtel Nigeria, a telecommunication and mobile money service provider, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Mobihealth International, a pioneering telehealth service provider.
This strategic collaboration is set to significantly improve healthcare access for millions of people across Nigeria, particularly in underserved communities.
Under this partnership, Nigerians will enjoy affordable and round the clock access to Mobihealth’s innovative telemedicine services, allowing them to connect with licensed healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes via mobile phones.
Mobihealth’s platform offers a range of services including 24/7 teleconsultations, prescription services, delivery of genuine medications, and access to international medical specialists.
A Game Changer for Healthcare in Africa
Airtel’s vast network infrastructure will empower Mobihealth to extend its reach to rural and remote areas, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations can access quality healthcare. This partnership also aims to support the government’s efforts at resolving the nation’s healthcare challenges, including limited access to doctors, high healthcare costs, and a shortage of medical facilities.
Speaking on the partnership, Femi Oshinlaja, Chief Commercial Officer of Airtel Nigeria, stated, “We believe that telemedicine will play a crucial role in Nigeria’s healthcare future. Our partnership with Mobihealth showcases our dedication to providing innovative solutions that significantly improve the lives of Nigerians.”
Dr. Funmi Adewara, Founder and CEO of Mobihealth, added: “This partnership with Airtel is a major milestone in our mission to democratize healthcare in Africa. Together, we will offer a lifeline to millions who face barriers to accessing timely, affordable, and quality medical care. Our telehealth platform will provide convenient access to qualified doctors, diagnostics, and treatments, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
This collaboration is expected to transform the healthcare landscape across Nigeria, making healthcare services more accessible, affordable, and effective.
News
Africa Digital Awards Honours Mayomi Tonye as Outstanding Technology Personality in Healthcare Management
Mrs. Mayomi Tonye, a distinguished healthcare administrator and innovator, has been honored with the prestigious title of Outstanding Technology Personality in Healthcare Management at the Africa Digital Awards 2024.
This recognition celebrates her remarkable contributions to the healthcare industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to create value, drive profitability, and achieve operational success across various healthcare institutions under her management.
Mrs. Tonye Mayomi has consistently demonstrated excellence in integrating technology into healthcare practices, revolutionizing traditional methods and setting benchmarks for efficiency and innovation. With over a decade of experience in healthcare management, her expertise spans across general practice medicine, dentistry, oncology, dialysis care, and psychiatric care, both in Nigeria and the United States.
Through her visionary leadership, Mrs. Mayomi has overseen the successful deployment of digital solutions that have enhanced patient care, streamlined workflows, and optimized the profitability of healthcare facilities.
These include implementing state-of-the-art CRM systems for hospital operations, integrating telemedicine platforms to increase accessibility for patients, and utilizing data-driven insights for improved decision-making in patient and resource management.
Under her guidance, institutions such as UPSILLON Care Hospital and Upscale Wellness have thrived, incorporating advanced tools like 3D dental lab technology, digital patient flow systems, and online pharmacy solutions. These innovations have significantly improved patient experiences while ensuring cost-effective and timely access to healthcare services.
Mrs. Mayomi’s visionary contributions extend beyond operations to fostering talent and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector. Through her consultancy firm, Ty’s Med Spaces, she has been instrumental in setting up modern healthcare facilities and equipping future healthcare administrators with the skills needed to excel in a digital era.
Speaking on the award, Mrs. Mayomi expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing healthcare through technology. “This recognition is a testament to the transformative power of technology in healthcare. I am deeply honored to receive this award, and it inspires me to continue innovating and driving positive change in the industry.
“My goal has always been to bridge the gap between quality healthcare and technology, ensuring that patients receive the best care possible while optimizing resources for long-term growth.”
The Africa Digital Awards serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations driving digital transformation across various sectors on the continent. Mrs. Mayomi Tonye’s recognition reaffirms her position as a trailblazer in healthcare management and a champion for the integration of technology into healthcare practices.
This accolade underscores Mrs. Mayomi’s commitment to shaping the future of healthcare in Africa, ensuring that innovative solutions translate into accessible, efficient, and sustainable healthcare systems for all.
In an era where entrepreneurship has become immensely vital to economic growth and innovation, ALX Africa, Africa’s leading tech career accelerator, has taken a significant step forward by organising a business showcase for entrepreneurs in its vibrant community.
Exhibiting one of the numerous benefits of being a part of the ALX ecosystem of professional and personal growth.
The business showcase held simultaneously across ALX state-of-the-art hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. It gathered a diverse group of enthusiastic entrepreneurs with various businesses in fashion, beauty, food, beverages, and technological solutions.
The event aimed to provide these budding entrepreneurs within these locations a chance to sell their products and solutions to attendees.
Beyond providing world class tech programmes, the award-winning accelerator offers participants with numerous virtual and in-person community events and state-of-the-art tech hubs equipped with constant electricity and high-speed internet. These facilities are available in their hubs in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.
One of the standout solutions on display at the showcase in Lagos was an innovative product called Parkkly, which uses intuitive geo-mapping technology to help drivers find available parking spaces within a location.
Other businesses that were on display at the showcase are Masta Blendz Zobo Drink, a quality beverage producer, Mama’s Original Honey, JCN Wears, Viloet’s Bijoux, and Mo Beauty amongst many others.
ALX Africa’s mission is to tackle the world’s greatest challenges through innovative solutions and businesses from Africa.
They aim to achieve this by not only empowering young African entrepreneurs with relevant tech skills and knowledge but also providing them with a platform for their ideas and businesses to thrive.
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