Connect with us

News

GBF Addresses Rural Connectivity, Empowerment

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, president, Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF), has harped on the importance of connecting the rural areas in this information age as part of the efforts to bridge the digital divide.

In her presentation last week at the Abuja CTO ’08 Summit, she emphasized how rural connectivity can be financed through public private collaborations in order to bring telecom services to the underserved.

Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF) through the Rural Telephone Project (RTP), according to Nnoli-Edozien has been at the forefront in facilitating connectivity and economic empowerment and independence among the rural poor through various strategies it has adopted over time.

She informed that RTP has helped in making first class affordable communications available in rural areas by providing phones, recharge cards, yagi antenna and solar panels so that ‘phone ladies’ can operate in rural locations where the signal strength is typically low. ‘Phone ladies’ receive special tariffs since they operate in low income area, thereby enhancing their competitiveness, and in order to guard against misapplication of the special tariffs, SIM cards can are locked to a specific base station since the agreement covers a limited geographical area.

She said GBF has eight Microfinance Institutions as partners and has a presence in almost 30 states of the federation, having been able to increase the number of these small time rural operators to 4,500 till date; adding that they have been able to develop projects to cater to the needs of the private and public sectors as well as civil society, creating win-win scenarios.

GBF Statistics have shown that 42,764 call hours and 256,584 call minutes, are recorded monthly and over eight million naira generated from MTN to MTN calls in rural areas where the RTP has been introduced; while urging other operators to embrace the initiative as the rural people appreciate brands more than anyone else, since they transform their lives.

She said it is so amazing that one puts a little amount of money on people and that money is returned a hundred fold as has been experienced in the RTP so far, even as she expressed regrets at such situations where rural dwellers would have to travel long distances just to make phone calls.

Nnoli-Edozien stated that this is a time for collaboration rather than competition among operators to better the lives of the rural poor and enable them achieve their aspirations.

GBF was founded in 1999 and aims at facilitating access to commercial credits for micro and small enterprises. It has become a market leader in providing access to rural telecom services, having penetrated almost every part of Nigeria.

 


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

News

Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged collusion between commercial banks and government officials to re-loot recovered funds from Sani Abacha, late dictator.

Bankers, Officials Colluding to Re-loot Recovered Abacha’s Fund-  EFCC

Sani Abacha

The $322 million Abacha loot, recovered in December 2017 and earmarked for Conditional Cash Transfer under the Social Investment Programme, was intended to provide monthly stipends to vulnerable Nigerians.

However, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, disclosed that investigations have uncovered financial malpractices involving COVID-19 funds and World Bank-assisted loans coordinated by the Humanitarian Ministry. Several interdicted and suspended officials of the ministry have been linked to the alleged malfeasance, with N32.7 billion and $445,000 recovered from them.

Managing directors of implicated banks have provided statements, and investigations are ongoing, with former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq and her successor, Beta Edu, summoned for questioning.

The EFCC stressed that the probe targets a systemic issue rather than individuals, signaling a crackdown on corruption within Nigeria’s financial sector and government agencies.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

FITC to Redefine HR with AI, Digitisation for Organisational Sustainability

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The eagerly anticipated E3 Conference, hosted by FITC, is back for its fourth edition, poised to set new benchmarks in the realm of employee engagement and organizational sustainability.

Themed, “Redefining HR Through AI & Digital Transformation for Organizational Sustainability,” the conference is scheduled to take place on April 17th and 18th.

In a statement, FITC says the E3 Conference stands as a beacon of innovation, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and professionals from across Africa and beyond.

It explained that in today’s fast-paced landscape, technology such as AI and automation is reshaping the dynamics of human resource management.

“The E3 Conference is dedicated to unravelling the potential of these advancements, focusing on topics ranging from talent mobility to the latest trends in managing talent. It’s a journey towards understanding and embracing these transformative shifts, ensuring that businesses are primed for the future of HR.

“With a stellar lineup of over 24 speakers, including C-suite Executives, Subject Matter Experts, and Thought Leaders from various sectors, the conference promises to deliver insights that transcend conventional boundaries. Attendees can expect deep dives into strategies for enhancing productivity, streamlining processes, and maximizing global talent mobility through AI and automation, “it stated.

“Keynote speakers such as Evi Ifekwe, Executive Director of People & Country Services at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, and Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, alongside a faculty lineup comprising industry stalwarts, will spearhead discussions on critical issues shaping the future of work.

The two-day hybrid event will feature four plenary sessions and two master classes, providing attendees with ample opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and interactive engagement.

Participants will delve into topics such as the impact of AI on the future of work, data-driven performance management, and strategic implementation of AI in HR.

The conference is expected to provide insights into cutting-edge strategies for professionals and HR leaders who will gain invaluable insights from industry pioneers on leveraging AI and digital transformation to drive organizational sustainability and employee engagement, “it stated.

“As organisations worldwide grapple with the complexities of the new normal, the E3 Conference serves as a beacon of hope and enlightenment, offering practical solutions and visionary insights to navigate the challenges ahead, ” the company said.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

NASENI Collaborates with NIPSS on Enhancing Digital Economy, Job Creation

Published

on

Kindly share this post

National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State are set to collaborate on enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy footprints, empowering and creating jobs for millions of youths.

L-R: The Director General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Prof. Ayo Omotayo presenting an Award to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu during a study tour of the Senior Executive Course 46 at the NASENI Headquarters Abuja today, Monday 15th April, 2024.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO),  NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, disclosed this while welcoming participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46 of NIPSS who were at the Agency on Strategic Institution Study tour on Monday, 15th April, 2024.
Halilu said he was elated that NASENI was identified as one of the federal government’s agencies that have all it takes to empower and create job opportunities for Nigerian youths, and make the country self-reliant in
manufacturing and digital economy.
Halilu said strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders in Nigeria to access, adopt and scale up technologies is an essential outcome of such cooperation and collaborations currently being undertaken by the Agency and “must be supported by the relevant offline conditions, such as an enabling policy environment, access to finance, appropriate incentives and innovation capacities.”
The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who led the delegation, said Nigerian youths can be empowered through translation of NASENI innovations to finished products and to strengthen the collaboration between the two organizations.
According to him, various groups from the institute have been sent to different agencies to study how policies for national development can be developed, adding that the Group in NASENI will do a deep study on NASENI on how the Agency can help in creating job opportunities for Nigerian youths using some of its technological innovations.
He said “Nigeria cannot have good manufacturing without infrastructures and NASENI is very important in all the sectors in the country, especially in manufacturing industries. We need an Agency like NASENI to live up to expectations, we can work together with you to find means of transferring your innovations to effective job creation and youth empowerment.”
He noted that the Course 46 participants from NIPSS wanted to know the vision, mission and roles of NASENI and how they can be translated to job creation for youths in a digital economy.

Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending