News
INEC Seeks Unrestrictive Power for ICT Innovation
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to the National Assembly to grant it power to determine the kind of technology to be deployed during elections.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman, INEC, made the appeal at a retreat organised by National Assembly Conference Committee on the Electoral Act 2021, chaired by Yahaya Abdullahi, Senate leader.
“As you finalise on the Electoral Amendment Bill, I urge you to continue to endow the commission with power to determine what technology to deploy in our elections at the appropriate time.
“One of the ways of doing so is to make broad provisions of the law that will empower INEC to continue to innovate without restricting us to a specific technology such as the Smart Card Reader.
“The smart card reader could in due course, become obsolete, inapplicable or irrelevant as is already the case following the recent introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the commission.
“The commission looks forward to the conclusion of the process without which we cannot make the regulations and guidelines to give effect to the provisions of the law,” he said.
Yakubu added: “Without the regulations and guidelines, we cannot finalise on the manuals for the training of officials that will conduct elections.
“There are extensive provisions in the current bill that require clear guidance by the commission.
“With only 484 days to the 2023 general election, time is of the essence.”
The INEC boss further said that in addition to the Nov.6, Anambra Governorship Poll, the commission had already scheduled three major elections for 2022.
“First is the FCT Area Council Election on Feb. 12, 2022; followed by the Ekiti governorship election on June 18 and the Osun governorship election on July 16, 2022,” he said.
Also speaking, Abdullahi said that work on the bill which was about to be harmonised, was started by the 7th Assembly through to the 8th National Assembly.
“It is ready for passage and presidential accent under the 9th National Assembly.
“I am happy to state that most of what we call ‘citizens top priorities’ on Electoral Act Amendment have been addressed by the Electoral Act 2021.
“These issues include imposition of stiffer sanctions for electoral offences, provision of legal backing for electoral technology and Strengthening the financial independence of INEC.”
In a goodwill message, Cécile Tassin-Pelzer, head of European Union (EU) Cooperation, commended the Senate’s removal of the contentious clause on electronic transmission of results.
She said that the action was a positive development that would ensue transparency and credibility of the country’s election process.
The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Board of Directors of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB). The board’s mandate is to lead Nigeria’s digital transformation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and services.
It will support Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in a fast-changing landscape.
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, led the inauguration. He emphasised the government’s commitment to making GBB more agile, responsive, and impactful. The aim is to drive national digital public infrastructure and service delivery. This was according to a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations.
The board has George Akume as Chairman. Its members include Rabi’a Adamu Waziri from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abubakar Abdulqadir Maje from the Joint Stock Association (JSA), Kemi Owonubi from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and Margareth Ebute from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Other members are Ibrahim Adeyanju, Olusegun, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Sanni Ibrahim Mohammed, and Adama Pindar from Galaxy Backbone Limited.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, assured that the board will focus on sustainability. He said it plans to realign its vision and build a strong foundation for achieving strategic goals.
He also noted that within one year, the agency developed its Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS). This strategy will run from 2025 to 2028.
Smart Treasure (ST Team) has honored the Deji of Akure, His Royal Highness Ọbá Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, CFR, with a plaque of recognition for his dedication to the welfare of his subjects.
The presentation was made at the monarch’s palace in Akure by a delegation led by Instructor Luke Mbadugha from the Lagos Operations Center.
The visit was part of ongoing discussions on a partnership aimed at boosting agriculture in Akure, Ondo State.
The initiative, spearheaded by the ST Team, seeks to ensure the availability of farmland for agricultural purposes.
Under the arrangement, the ST Team will provide seedlings and manpower, while a significant portion of the proceeds will be distributed to the indigenes at no cost.
The remaining proceeds will support the administrative operations of the ST Team.
In his response, Ọbá Aladetoyinbo announced the allocation of a parcel of land at Ofosu, along the Ondo-Benin Road, for the project.
He described the initiative as a commendable effort to enhance food security for both the local community and the nation.
The monarch also called for a follow-up meeting to facilitate the assessment of the land for the project’s commencement.
Meanwhile, farming activities are set to resume at Aladodo Isikan in Akure South Local Government Area, another site designated for the agricultural project.
The four-acre land will be used to cultivate crops such as yam, cassava, plantain, and maize. A test run of maize planting began on April 9, 2025, with expectations of harvesting in three months.
Kabiesi Akinwunmi Adekanmbi Obey, the monarch of Olulero Okelero, Onitan Isikan, lauded the ST Team for their commitment to ensuring food availability.
He emphasized the importance of agriculture, stating, “Whoever brings food brings life.”
The ST Team, an investment platform dedicated to reducing poverty in Africa by 30% by 2027, has been actively involved in various Corporate Social Responsibility programs, including this agricultural initiative.
The project underscores their mission to create financial freedom and improve the quality of life for individuals across the continent.
Zinox Technologies Limited, a leading ICT solutions provider in West Africa, has engaged with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Abuja, marking a significant step towards advancing innovation and sustainable energy solutions within Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Zinox Chairman (left) and Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary, TETFUND (right) after the meeting
Under the theme “Advancing Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” the meeting aimed to establish a collaborative framework for technological transformation.
The Zinox delegation was led by Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, its chairman, and included key members of the company’s executive management team.
On the TETFUND side, Arc. Sonny Echono, executive secretary, was joined by members of his top management team for the high-level discussions.
The highlight of the visit was the establishment of a strategic partnership between Zinox Technologies and TETFUND to provide renewable energy solutions to universities and polytechnics across Nigeria.
Additionally, Mrs. Kelechi Eze-Okonta, managing director, delivered a comprehensive, world-class presentation on the company’s diverse verticals and advanced ICT services, underscoring the need for intentional policy measures to support indigenous technologies for sustainable economic growth.
The TETFUND team expressed their appreciation for Zinox’s contributions to technology awareness, implementation, and adoption in Africa.
Arc. Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFUND, conveyed his deep appreciation for the visit by the Zinox team and commended Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh for his unwavering and impactful contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation, stating that efforts are underway to establish a framework for effective energy solutions in tertiary institutions.
Highlighting Zinox Technologies’ expertise and proven track record, Arc. Echono expressed optimism about partnering with the company to develop scalable and efficient power solutions for academic institutions.
While both organizations remain committed to implementing innovative initiatives that enhance institutional capacity across the nation’s higher education sector, the visit marks a significant milestone in establishing a strategic partnership to equip Nigeria’s tertiary institutions with the essential technological infrastructure for a sustainable, digitally-driven future.
AFD Commits €3 million to Africa’s Financial Inclusion
EU Aims to Remove Barriers to AI Development
Africa Plans to Establish a $60 billion AI Fund
FG Inaugurates Board of Galaxy Backbone
Verve Expands Payment Frontiers with Global Partnerships, Contactless Innovation
E-Financial2 days agoAfDB Mobilizes $2.2Bn to Support Nigeria’s Agriculture
News2 days agoMTN Pens Moving Tribute to Pascal Gabriel Dozie, Former Chairman
E-Business2 days agoNatasha: TMG Demands Probe of Alleged Data Breach in Failed Recall
General News2 days agoNIPOST Threatens Courier, Logistics Service Providers
E-Business2 days agoCJN Warns Judicial Officials against Data Breaches, Cyber Attacks
Telecom2 days agoNCC Issues 90 Days Deadline to Telcos to Resolve Subscribers’ Unclaimed Airtime
News2 days agoNIGCOMSAT, Jigawa State Empower 150 Youths on Satellite New Innovations
Broadcasting2 days agoNigeria Eyes $20Bn Annual Revenue from Space Economy – Minister