Telecom
Gov. Soludo Distributes 2,000 Laptops to Teachers and Principals of Public and Public-Mission Schools
In keeping with his mantra of ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday, 12th March, 2024, distributed 2,000 brand new laptops to headteachers, ICT teachers, and principals of public and public-mission schools across the state.
The distribution aligns perfectly with the vision of Mr. Governor, which the Anambra State ICT Agency is driving, to ensure the full digitization of all sectors of the state economy.
The implication of headteachers, ICT teachers, and principals owning laptops is that they will fully key into the digitization vision of Mr. Governor and, as such, guide school pupils and students early in their lives to join the digital revolution in the state.
In Governor Soludo’s speech, “The teachers are molders of men and women and as such, critical partners in the new Anambra project.
And if you want to predict the future of any society, look at the quality of their teachers.”
He said the state cannot be talking about Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere when the teachers and headteachers are still in analog mode.
“We have begun and as resources permit us, we will continue to prioritize work tools for our teachers and students.
We will also continue to scale up the numbers.
“We have launched the free public Wi-Fi in some strategic places and we will scale it too to the schools to begin to create the opportunity for the ingenuity and creativity of our students and pupils to find expression.
”We are deliberate about our young people because of their capacity to uptake the technological availings and make the most out of it.
“Therefore, the teachers need to be ahead in terms of technology to be able to champion 21st-century education that is technology-driven.
“We had started with the civil servants and we want to get to the point where every teacher would have their laptops as they have their phones.
“We are very intentional about it that we must provide you with the enabling work tools you require to get our children to the next level we desire technology-wise.
While we aspire to get your schools to be smart, you too must be first smart.
“We have to upscale because you can’t give what you don’t have.
“We have the Head of our ICT Agency and the Solution Innovation District here and we are looking at working with them to have structured training programs, to ensure they put these equipment to use, exploring the latest Artificial Intelligence enablements,” the governor promised.
Soludo maintained that in the last 24 months, the Anambra people have seen the transformation his administration had brought into the state governance, which has positively affected the lives of our people, assuring that more is to come.
On his part, the Managing Director of the State ICT Agency, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, who played a key role at the event held at the International Conference Centre, Awka, said the governor has again by the distribution, reinforced commitment towards making Anambra State a technology hub, not only in the Southeast but also in the entire nation.
Agbata noted that capturing the teachers in the digitization revolution signifies a brighter future for the state, considering how critical young people are to the state’s technological advancement.
He made it clear that the state has been able to make giant strides in the technology area because Mr. Governor believes in the power of technology and has stepped out a strong foot in terms of investment in the sector.
“Today, the Governor has made Wi-Fi available in some public places where the people’s creativity needs to be enhanced in the areas of education, commerce, and public service.
“There is no doubt that with Mr. Governor’s mindset, better days are ahead for technology.
“For us at the ICT agency, the training which Mr. Governor spoke about is a no-brainer.
“Recall that the ICT Agency has partnered with relevant government agencies to bring technology to ease recruitment processes across various sectors and we are doing more.
“This is just to say that we are ready to drive the ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ vision of Mr. Governor, to make Mr. Governor’s dream for a digitized Anambra State, a reality,” Agbata assured.
Some of the recipients of the laptops, whose joys knew no bounds, described Governor Soludo as a proactive leader, who is conscious of the need of the times.
Promising to deploy the equipment effectively for the purpose it was intended, the headteachers and principals said they are at home with the digital revolution the governor is bringing to the state education sector.
The high point of the ceremony was the distribution of the laptops as well as solidarity chants by the beneficiaries.
Airtel, one of Africa’s leading telecommunications providers, has launched a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Spam Alert Service in Nigeria, aimed at tackling the growing issues of spam messages and fraud.
Speaking at the launch event held in Lagos, Dinesh Balsingh, Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, revealed that the innovative service will be rolled out across Airtel’s 14-country footprint.
Notably, Airtel subscribers in Nigeria can access the service at no additional cost.
The AI-powered solution detects and alerts users in real-time about suspected spam SMS, safeguarding them from potential fraud and cyber threats.
Highlighting the company’s commitment to technology-driven customer solutions, Balsingh said, “this is a game changer for the telecoms industry in Africa and as we move forward, we will continue to address customer challenges through proactive tech-driven solutions.”
The service is built on a proprietary dual-layer protection system that analyses over 250 parameters, including sender behavior, SMS frequency, and target location patterns.
Capable of filtering over 1.5 billion messages within two milliseconds, it also features a centralised database of blacklisted URLs to warn users about suspicious links.
“With the launch of this AI-powered Spam Alert Service, Airtel Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance customer experience, safety, and digital inclusion across the continent.
“As Airtel continues to expand its footprint, it is expected that this pioneering solution will set a new standard for the telecoms industry in Africa.
“Also, as the digital landscape continues to evolve, Airtel Africa remains at the forefront, pushing boundaries and shaping the future of telecommunications in Africa,” said Balsingh.
He emphasised that as Airtel continues to expand, the pioneering solution will set new benchmarks for Africa’s telecom industry.
The initiative has received commendation from key stakeholders, including Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Dr. Tijani lauded Airtel’s efforts in boosting Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, particularly through solutions that enhance online security and foster digital inclusion.
Similarly, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, hailed the service as a major step in addressing the security challenges faced by telecom subscribers.
As the digital landscape evolves, Airtel Africa continues to push the boundaries of innovation, shaping the future of telecommunications across the continent.
The Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance & Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) recently embarked on a historic working visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Headquarters in Abuja.
The LASIMRA delegation was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi, alongside members of the senior management team.
The delegation was warmly received by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the Commission’s management team. The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between LASIMRA and NCC towards improving the telecommunications sector in Lagos State.
The meeting was further enriched by the presence of representatives from the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), including the Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Udeh.
Discussions focused on addressing critical issues affecting the industry, with particular emphasis on the security and protection of telecom infrastructure.
LASIMRA reiterated the need for effective oversight and safeguarding of these essential assets under the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.
A key highlight of the meeting was the Tower Enumeration Project—a comprehensive audit initiative aimed at identifying all distressing communication infrastructure across Lagos.
LASIMRA also raised concerns about damages to public infrastructure caused by some operators during fibre deployment and reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing appropriate penalties to preserve public assets.
The parties agreed on the importance of a unified strategy involving NCC, LASIMRA and other stakeholders to bring order to the sector, improve connectivity, and ensure widespread access to high-quality telecommunications services across Lagos.
LASIMRA expresses its sincere appreciation to the NCC for its support and collaboration. Together, we remain committed to building a more connected, secure, and digitally inclusive Lagos.
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recent increase in tariffs by telecommunications companies in Nigeria, threatening to embark on a nationwide protest to compel a reversal.
In a statement jointly signed on Thursday in Abuja by Comrade Anzaku Shedrack Ovye, national secretary-general, NANS and Comrade Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, the student body gave the Federal Government and telecommunications companies a 72-hour ultimatum to reverse the tariff increase.
The students warned that upon the expiration of the ultimatum, students across the country would be mobilized for a series of street protests nationwide to ensure a reversal.
They argued that the arbitrary action of telecommunications companies has further exacerbated the financial burden on millions of Nigerians, particularly students and youths, who are among the dominant end-users of their services.
The statement read in part:
“This decision, which has led to a significant rise in the cost of calls, data, and other communication services, is both unjustifiable and insensitive, given the prevailing economic challenges faced by the populace.
“NANS views this development as a blatant disregard for the welfare of Nigerian citizens and an affront to the principles of affordability and accessibility that should govern the telecommunications sector.
“This administration is committed to promoting the welfare of Nigerian students; hence, it will vehemently oppose any tendency that does not align with this vision.
“NANS is deeply concerned about the adverse impact this tariff hike will have on students, many of whom rely heavily on affordable telecommunications services for academic research, virtual learning, and staying connected with their families.
“Therefore, it is worrisome to comprehend the justifications for these increments, as NANS considers this action a direct threat to the security of Nigerian students and an attempt to further impede their ability to navigate their academic endeavors, maintain familial connections, and secure legitimate personal incomes, particularly for independent students responsible for their upkeep.
“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to telecommunications companies, the Honourable Minister for Innovation, Digital and Blue Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to reverse this tariff increase and provide a clear roadmap for ensuring affordable telecommunications services for all Nigerians.
“Failure to comply with this ultimatum will leave NANS with no choice but to mobilize students across the nation for a series of peaceful protests to demand justice, accountability, and a comprehensive audit of activities in the telecommunications sector,” NANS stated.
The leadership of NANS maintained that as student representatives, they would not stand idly by while the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, which they have vowed to protect, are trampled upon by greed, “corporate capitalism,” and regulatory complicity.
NANS also called on the Federal Government to intervene promptly and decisively to address this issue.
Additionally, they urged telecommunications companies to prioritize the interests of their customers over profit margins and to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to find sustainable solutions rather than inflict further hardship on Nigerians who are already struggling economically.
“As the voice of Nigerian students, NANS remains committed to advocating for policies and actions that promote equity, fairness, and the overall well-being of all Nigerians.
“We will continue to hold all parties and duty-bearers accountable to ensure that the rights of students and citizens are protected,” the statement added.
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