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Nigeria @ 50, Experts Say Country Has Under Achieved
Nigeria’s information and communications technologies (ICTs) best brains gathered at the weekend to take stock of the country’s achievements, 50 years after independence and their verdict was damning indictment on the leadership, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now report.
They said that Nigeria has nothing to celebrate in the midst of excruciating poverty and failure of leadership to use ICTs as spring board for the development of the country.
Experts including: Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, immediate past executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Raymond Akwule, president, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Ezekiel Fatoye, former executive director, Multi-Links Limited, Titi Omo-Ettu, president, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (Atcon), Emmanuel Ekuwem, past president of Atcon, Dr. Chris Uwaje, president, Institute of Software Practioners of Nigeria (Ispon) and Lanre Ajayi, president, Nigeria Internet Group (Nig) sat for four hours to dissect the country from independence.
Unlike the past when problems are identified without solutions proffered to address them, the distinguished ICT players laid the ground works upon which any sensitive government will build upon
Ndukwe, Akwule and Ekuwem sounded optimistic given the improvement in the telecommunications industry from the days of Dark Age when telephone was only for the rich and connected to the present day when phones are common place.
But Omo-Ettu did not share the optimism and said the industry should not be boastful of its achievements.
For Uwaje, Fatoye and Ajayi, there are rooms for improvement, calling on the government to pay greater attention on efforts that can fast-track the development of the country.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that Ndukwe’s picture of buoyancy for the industry was understandable. After all, he superintended the NCC for 10 years and created a model government institution and etched his name in the history book for doing ordinary things in exceptionally transparent manner.
The former NCC boss shook off political meddlesomeness to attract some $18 billion investment to the country and over $2.5 billion in revenue from spectrum licensing in nine years. He however called on the government to safeguard the autonomy of the telecoms industry regulator to ensure growth of telecoms market.
Nodding in agreement, Akwule, called on government to pay more attention to capacity building.
“We can address most of the problems of this nation like job creation with greater emphasis on software capacity building” Akwule added.
He got more support from Ekuwem, who added that the country has potentials to do much more if the security challenges are addressed. Ekuwem said that “you cannot attract local or foreign investment without security and ICT can address insecurity”
Harping on education, Ajayi, said that the difference between developed and developing countries is education and knowledge. Ajayi urged government t leave business to business people and concentrate on creating the enabling environment for business to thrive.
Fatoye agreed with him and urged ICT companies take the issue of corporate governance and customer satisfaction serious.
In his remarks, Uwaje called for the retooling of the country’s workforce and priority attention to indigenous software to propel development.
Omo-Ettu expects the government to commence the active construction of national backbone infrastructure and indeed the launch of a stimulant funding to support the campaign for ubiquitous internet access.
News
Stanbic IBTC Insurance Launches Education Endowment Plan
Stanbic IBTC Insurance, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has launched Education Endowment Insurance Plan, an offering that empowers parents and guardians to secure the academic future of their children or wards.
Targeting young adults, the underwriting firm said the Education Endowment Plan encouraged parents and guardians to adopt a long-term strategy for investing in the educational future of their children through the launch.
The company aims to raise awareness about the importance of investing in education.
It said by opting for the Stanbic IBTC Education Endowment Plan, parents could benefit from a comprehensive investment solution that safeguards their children’s academic journey.
At the media launch of the product in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer Stanbic IBTC Insurance, Akinjide Orimolade, explained that the Education Endowment Plan offered families a strong financial safety net.
“This product ensures the protection of their children’s education, regardless of life’s uncertainties; providing reassurance and confidence. By making strategic investments today, parents can secure access to education for their children, enabling them to realise their full potential and pursue their aspirations.
“We are proud to launch the Education Endowment Plan campaign, an insurance product that aligns with our commitment to empowering parents in Nigeria to attain financial security for the education of their children,” he stated.
News
Gambaryan, Binance Exec Fights for his Life, Freedom as Health Deteriorates in Jail
The health of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance executive remains uncertain one month and one week after Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to transfer him to a capable medical facility for treatment.
Gambaryan is Binance’s head of crime compliance.
His family said, “He has had double pneumonia and malaria whilst in prison” and reports said he Gambaryan’s health remains in grave danger.
In addition, the first witness from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was cross-examined on Monday, resulting in the adjournment of the money laundering trial against Binance and two executives until July 5.
The court is still aware that, despite repeated court orders, the prison where Gambaryan is being kept has not produced his medical documents from his single hospital visit, which occurred a month ago.
According to his family members, Gambaryan’s health is declining.
Justice Nwite again ordered that the reports be sent to Gambaryan’s counsel by Friday.
Gambaryan’s family spokesperson said that “Tigran’s health continues to deteriorate in detention, and he complained of numbness in his foot as well as back pain[…] He has had double pneumonia and malaria whilst in prison.” His wife added that: As I have stated many times before and as the evidence in court is showing, Tigran has never been a decision-maker at Binance, and there is no justification for his continued detention […] It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and release my innocent husband.
The defense’s extensive questioning of a representative of SEC to refute allegations that Binance had engaged in the unlicensed offer and sale of securities has led to the recent dispute regarding Gambaryan’s health.
Gambaryan, the crypto exchange’s head of financial crime compliance, has been detained in Nigeria since February and is currently being held in Kuje prison.
The Binance exec is being held alongside members of the terrorist organization Boko Haram.
Nadeem Anjarwalla, another executive who is also accused of money laundering, has since fled.
News
Mauritania Cuts Internet Services Amid Election Protests
Internet services were restricted in several areas across Mauritania yesterday, including the capital Nouakchott, following the outbreak of protests rejecting the presidential election results.
According to eyewitnesses, the internet services of mobile phones were cut off in certain Mauritanian cities, while remaining functional on the landline services.
The Mauritanian authorities and telecommunications companies are yet to comment on the issue.
On Monday, several cities across Mauritania, including Nouakchott, saw protests by supporters of candidate and human rights activist Biram Ould Dah Abeid, who came second in the results of the presidential elections.
He rejected the election results, and called it an “electoral coup.”
The National Independent Electoral Commission on Monday said incumbent Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani won the presidential election with 56.12% of the vote, while Biram Ould Dah Abeid came in second with 22.10%.
On Saturday, Mauritanians cast their ballots to choose a new president among seven candidates.
The northern African country has experienced several coups between 1978 and 2008, with 2019 marking the first peaceful power transfer between elected presidents since its independence from France in 1960.
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