Telecom
Stakeholders At BoICT Awards Canvass Use of ICT to Foster Sustainable Development
Opinion molders in the Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have drummed up support for the use of ICT to stimulate sustainable development in our institutions.
They disclosed this at the just concluded Beacon of Information and Communication Technology awards (BoICT) held on Saturday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Delivering the first keynote address at the event, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Phd , DG / CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), represented by Hajiya Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, NITDA, stated that this year’s theme of “Leveraging ICT Value for building institutions” aligns well with the growing movement to use ICT to foster sustainable development in institutions.
He stated that our institutions and indeed our nation can experience a high level of sustainable development through the effective use of ICT.
In his words, “it is often said that data is the new oil and organizations can now use data to create wealth.
“Today, an average smartphone can have as many as 10 sensors. We have about 144million active mobile lines in Nigeria, a sizable portion of which are smartphones, potentially giving us access to large volumes of data.
“With Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics, such data can be translated into actionable insights for that would lead to sustainable development in the country.”
He encouraged captains of industries in the ICT sector to support ICT capacity building efforts both within their institutions and within the ICT Startup ecosystem, stressing that the future of the ICT industry depends on it.
The DG thanked the organizers for giving him the opportunity to deliver a keynote address of the 9th edition of the Beacon of ICT Awards.
Pantami noted that,” Over the years these Awards have celebrated the leading lights in the various spheres of the Nigerian ICT sector.
“They have also served as an inspiration to both the awardees and the general populace.
“I use this opportunity to salute the foresight and commitment of the organizers.” he said.
Femi Adeoti, MD / CEO Africa Operations- Inlaks Nigeria, who gave the second keynote address, said that Technology and Innovation will continue to be at the core of the operations of every Institution.
He added that, Mobile and digital payments technology is becoming increasingly significant, especially in the context of developing economies, where many low income households and microenterprises do not have ready access to financial services.
Adeoti stated that national identity management enabled by the biometrics technology serves as a foundation for the development of a country, noting that the use of biometrics have helped to strengthen the integrity of the country’s immigration and also help to prevent fraud during elections with the use of a National Identity Management System.
He noted that technology has not only made access to information easier but it has made learning easier.
He applauded MD of Systemspecs and his team for their role in ensuring that management Control Systems were created through the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“If a country has a fragmented system for handling government payments through the banking system, it is a critical Public Financial Management weakness that needs to be addressed.
“The TSA provided unified structure of all government bank accounts enabling consolidation and optimum utilization of government cash resources.
“TSA helped the Nigerian Government get a stronger hold of its finances and reduced fraud.” he stated.
Earlier, Dr.Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman, Open Media Group, who was the chief host of the event, thanked Communications Week Media for sustaining the awards for the past 9 years.
He noted that sustenance of the awards is important because the industry is such an evolving one, that always have something new that comes on every now and then in the industry.
He added that Nigeria is not bereft of new terms and new products in the ICT sector, adding that it has being a very good destination for many innovations that have been coming out from time to time.
He said “recently we started hearing about blockchain, and now we have moved to internet of things which is still evolving and there are just so many things that keep coming up all aimed at making our lives easier and creating an environment that makes it possible for us to live our lives in a more digitally enabled way.
“So I like to congratulate CommunicationsWeek team for the good work they have done over the years and the resilience in ensuring that we gather here every year.
“I am sure this evening promises to be a good evening as it has always been in the past and I will like us to relax, feel free and enjoy ourselves.“ he added.
Also, Dr LeoStan Ekeh, Founder/Chairman, Zinox Group and Chairman of the event said that, the ICT sector is a sector that has manpower deficits and at the same time the most progressive sector in the world.
He further extolled Nigeria Communicationsweek media’s role in building the ICT sector through their insightful reportage of the industry, adding that the knowledge CommunicationsWeek disseminate every morning shows the power of the media.
.
Dr Ekeh, eulogized and encouraged young men in the industry to stay focus; adding that technology is the new money.
He said, “I want to encourage our young men to stay focus, there is only one factory here, that must open, it does not matter who is in government in the next five years but the reality is that technology is new money, we can’t hide about it, but the young people need energy, I see them, they lack energy, they spend before they earn.
He added that his drive in the industry is as a result that things will turn around in the sector in the next few years; that he wants to watch it happen.
Telecom
How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Business Plans for Entrepreneurs
In today’s fast-paced business world, writing a comprehensive business plan can feel overwhelming for entrepreneurs. However, with the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this process is becoming more efficient and accessible. This guide shows how to use AI tools to create a business plan for your idea.
Think of AI as your digital assistant, speeding up the first draft so you have more time to make it better. AI gives you a structure, but your own ideas and understanding of your business makes the plan unique.
Embrace AI in Business Planning – Before you begin, you should know what goes into a business plan: a summary of your business, details about your company and offerings, and information about your market and competitors. You may also consider creating plans for your business sales, management, operations, and finances.
Gather all your business details first. This makes it easier for AI to help you turn them into a plan.
Feeding Information to AI – Start by providing a general overview of your business, including its name, target market, products or services, and financial projections. GoDaddy is sharing a prompt template below that can be used to provide information:
“I’m developing a business plan for my company, [company name], a [industry] startup offering [product/service]. Please accept the information below about my company as a basis for developing a strong business plan.”
Creating Sections with AI Help – Breaking your business plan into sections and using specific prompts for each can streamline the process. AI can generate initial drafts for each part, which you can then review and edit. Here are some prompts to help guide you:
1. Summary and Company Description:
- “As a successful entrepreneur and seasoned strategist, draft an enticing executive summary and company description for [company name] in the [industry] sector.”
2. Products and Services:
- “As an innovative product developer, provide a comprehensive description of [product/service] offered by my company.”
3. Market Analysis:
- “As a market analyst, outline a detailed market analysis for [company name].”
4. Competitive Analysis:
- “Compile a concise competitive analysis for [company name], highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of key competitors.”
5. Marketing and Sales Plan:
- “Create a thorough sales and marketing plan for [company name], including a detailed growth strategy.”
6. Value Proposition:
- “Assume the perspective of a potential customer and identify the unique selling proposition of [company name].”
7. Ownership and Management Plan:
- “Outline the optimal structure, ownership, and management roles for [company name].”
8. Operating Plan:
- “Craft an efficient operating plan for [company name], detailing infrastructure and risk management.”
9. Financial Plan:
- “Develop a comprehensive financial overview and funding request for [company name], including income statements and sales forecasts.”
10. Extra Information:
- This is where you can add any extra details like research or visuals.
Finalizing Your Plan – Once you have drafts for each part, it’s time to make it all fit together nicely. Your business plan should clearly show what your business is about and its path to success.
Getting Feedback from AI – After refining your draft, ask AI to check for any missing parts, mistakes or inconsistencies. This is a good time for AI to help create a summary, mission statement, vision, values, and value proposition to ensure alignment with your business goals.
Make a One-Page Plan – Lastly, create a simple one-page version of your business plan. It should include all the important points and be easy to understand. This step ensures clarity and focus, making it easier to communicate your business strategy to stakeholders. Remember, while AI helps a lot, it does not replace the ingenuity and oversight of human input to help ensure your unique business ideas are being reflected in your plan.
AI can be a helpful tool for creating and growing your business’ digital presence. With GoDaddy Airo, an AI powered experience, you can embrace AI to streamline your business planning and operations, allowing you more time to focus on turning your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Telecom
Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing digital rights and inclusion in the Global South, has made significant contributions to the just-concluded 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
PIN’s participation in the prestigious global event underscores the organisation’s commitment to fostering inclusive digital policies and ensuring that Africa’s voices are central in global discussions about the future of the internet.
During the week-long forum, PIN team members played key roles in numerous sessions, emphasising the importance of a digital rights perspective in the development of emerging technologies, advocating for a more inclusive digital future, and addressing the specific challenges the African continent faces in terms of digital access and inclusion.
PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, spoke at high-profile sessions, including the Leadership Panel on ‘The Internet We Want’, which outlined the vision for a global internet that is accessible, secure, and inclusive.
At the Africa Youth IGF Parley, ‘Gbenga provided a platform for young Africans to address pressing issues such as internet restrictions, the digital divide, and digital rights violations.
Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager for Grants and Programmes Strategy at Paradigm Initiative, contributed to Open Forum #12, advocating for policies that ensure a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future. His discussions highlighted the importance of policies that place human rights at the core of technological advancements.
Ihueze Nwobilor, Senior Programmes Officer, spoke at the session, ‘A Rights-Respecting Approach to Emerging Tech Development,’ where he called for the prioritisation of human rights in the development and deployment of emerging technologies across Africa and beyond.
The organisation’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, shared valuable insights during the ‘Better Products and Policies Through Stakeholder Engagement’ session.
She emphasized the role of the private sector in engaging with local communities to ensure that digital products and policies are inclusive and meet the needs of vulnerable groups across Africa.
Bridgette Ndlovu, PIN Partnerships and Engagements Officer, moderated a session on ‘Implementation of the USF in 26 African Countries,’ where she and other speakers, including ‘Gbenga Sesan, discussed the crucial role of Universal Service Funds (USF) in advancing digital inclusion, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
PIN’s participation at IGF 2024 has been an important moment for advocating digital rights in Africa. “Paradigm Initiative’s participation was a powerful reminder that Africa’s digital future must be shaped by inclusive, rights-respecting policies.
“Our participation at the IGF is a continuous demonstration of the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in building a more inclusive and accessible internet for everyone, especially those in under-served communities,” PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan stated.
Telecom
Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach
Lagos-based financial technology firm Patricia Technologies has commenced repayments to customers impacted by a 2022 security breach. This follows a two-year period where the company focused on recovering funds and rebuilding trust.
In 2022, Patricia experienced a significant cyberattack, resulting in the loss of over 600 million Naira from customer accounts. Following the breach, the company temporarily restricted withdrawals and collaborated with law enforcement, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including a prominent politician.
Patricia had previously requested a two-to-five-year repayment window, a plan that has now begun to be implemented. The company has started disbursing funds to affected customers in phases, with the first batch of payments initiated on December 10, 2024.
CEO Hanu Fejiro emphasized the company’s commitment to its customers, stating, “This repayment process represents a milestone in fulfilling our promise to make things right.”
He encouraged customers to update their information on the Patricia platform and monitor official channels for further updates on their individual repayment timelines.
Subscribers who are getting paid in this phase have since been officially notified by email. One of the subscribers, with initials BP (for purposes of confidentiality), expressed appreciation and satisfaction with being paid by Patricia via an email reaction: “I really appreciate your effort. Though it took a long time, I’m satisfied with what I’ve received. Thank you for keeping to your words.”
- Telecom1 day ago
From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey
- Telecom1 day ago
Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum
- Broadcasting1 day ago
Aero Contractors Celebrates Long-Serving Employees at Award Ceremony
- E-Financial1 day ago
CBN Permits BDC Operators to Buy FX from NAFEM During Festive Season
- Telecom1 day ago
Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach
- Broadcasting3 hours ago
Africa Magic Announces Call for Entries for 11th AMVCA
- E-Business3 hours ago
Ozi Launches to Redefine $460 billion Global Package Delivery Market
- Telecom3 hours ago
How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Business Plans for Entrepreneurs