Category Science & Technology

Service

By Philip Yatai

Kaduna, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Retention Concierge, a Lagos-based service startup company, says it will conduct free evaluation exercise for 180 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) websites, as part of efforts to improve digital service delivery in the country.

The Founder of the Company, Miss Jennifer Jemedafe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Thursday in Abuja that the gesture was to help SMEs provide satisfactory customer digital experience.

Jemedafe explained that five SMEs in each state of the federation would benefit from the company’s Digital Experience Evaluations (DXE) project, after which the evaluation would be done at a price.

She noted that several SMEs in the country were not on the digital space where world class services could  be delivered with limited human touch.

According to her, even the ones with websites, it is  either the site not fast, interactive or too complex to offer satisfactory customer digital experience.

“Currently, a lot of businesses are being forced to close down and lay off staff while others are stuck, following the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic that continues to ravage the world.

“At the moment, only organisations that are agile and quick to innovate have been able to push through these difficult times, using the power of technology and digital experience.

“The DXE service is a 7-step system of evaluation, guaranteed to help businesses and government agencies  deliver excellent service via their websites,” she said.

She noted that in the current digital-driven world- “it is Go Digital or Go Home’’, which was why the company launched the DXE service.

Jemedafe explained that the goal was to help businesses leverage on the digital space for them to grow and offer world class service experience.

“This will facilitate economic stability within the SMEs space and ensure that small businesses stay active and acquire loyal, paying and satisfied customers through the delivery of excellent service via the web.

“We are working to positively influence the service industry in Nigeria because we see great service as everyone’s responsibility.

“We want to ensure that every interaction, purchase and general service experience is enjoyable, easy and efficient,” she said.

Jemedafe added that whether in the public or private sector, care should be the powerful force to motivate individuals, businesses and governments to innovate for efficient and effective service delivery.

“This is because customer experience across the globe has largely become the differentiating factor between success and failures in businesses and other service delivery areas.

“A perfect example of using the digital space to provide world class service is the design and launch of the DXE project, working with a team of self-taught web developers with no physical contact.

“We have never met in person; all meetings are held via zoom and we are getting the job done,” Jemedafe said.

She said that retention concierge would continue to promote good customer experience and great services both online and offline among SMEs and public offices.

“It is our hope that from healthcare to agriculture; e-commerce, banking, oil and gas, government and multinationals companies will embrace the culture of service as the core strategy for leadership and success”. (NAN)

FDY/CHOM/RSA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Rabiu Sani Ali

Committee

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Abuja, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) had set up a 10-member advisory committee to curtail the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Information Technology (IT) ecosystem and the economy.

Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, disclosed this in a statement by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations on Wednesday in Abuja.

He stated this at the inauguration of the committee that was charged with providing an enabling environment for technology start-ups and ICT businesses during this period.

Members of the committee include Mr Tomi Davies, President, African Business Angels Network, Mr Amal Hassan, Managing Director(MD), Outsource Global,Mr Bosun Tijani, MD, Co-Creation Hub.

Other members were Mrs Juliet Anammah, Head, International Affairs, Jumia Group, Mr Kola Aina, Founder, Ventures Platform, Mr Musa Baba, MD, Teasy Pay, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Co-Founder, Andela.

Mr Collins Onuegbu, MD, Signal Alliance, Dr Kalli Zannah, Special Assistant to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as well as Dr Amina Sambo-Magaji, the National Coordinator, Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship are also members.

Inuwa said the committee was expected to devise suitable strategies for the provision of affordable internet access to individuals and businesses.

“You are to develop a framework to facilitate access to financing for technology and tech enabled ventures.

“Part of your responsibilities is also to devise modalities for encouraging the development and adoption of digital technology to support policies in line with the Work From Home directives of the Federal Government.

“You will develop a support programme for innovation hubs to facilitate access to remote resources by start-ups during the work from home as well as other forms of support the hubs may require to be sustainable,” he said.

He encouraged the committee to develop an all stakeholders enabled instrument especially technology and tech enabled start-ups.

Inuwa said the committee members contributions was needed at this critical time to ensure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy was minimised.

The committee have 48 hours to submit a preliminary report and would be expected to make effective use of digital technologies in carrying out its assignment. (NAN)

NIU/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Mike Adenuga Foundation donates N1.5bn to COVID-19 funds

Donations
By Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos, March 30, 2020(NAN) Mike Adenuga Foundation (MAF), established by billionaire, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., on Monday donated N1.5 billion to Federal Government and Lagos State government to support Nigeria’s fight against the global Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
Mrs Bella Disu, the daughter of the billionaire, presented a cheque for N500million to the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at his office at the State secretariat, Alausa, on behalf of the Foundation on Monday.
Similarly, a representative of the Foundation presented the cheque for N1billion to the Governor of Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, in Abuja.
The Apex bank is coordinating the fund raising by corporate bodies in the country.
The fund is to support the initiatives aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the foundation, the presentations are being committed for the wellbeing of the entire Nigerian citizens especially at this time when the country is battling the Coronavirus pandemic.
It also commended the government, individuals and organisations for their efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that individuals and corperate organisations had made various donations toward fighting the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Adenuga Jr. is the founder of Nigeria’s second national carrier in the telecommunications industry, Globacom.(NAN)
SKA/DCU
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Edited by Donald Ugwu

PAPDAN tasks govt. on funding basic infrastructure

Funding
By Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos, March 30, 2020 (NAN) The Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDAN) has urged government at all levels to improve the funding of basic infrastructure within the country.
Mr Ifeanyi Akubue, President of PAPDAN, who made the appeal on Monday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that there was need for improvement in the funding of the health sector in the budget.
Akubue said that the funding would make our infrastructures especially health facilities meet international standard.
According to him, the Lagos state government is able to improvise in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic but there is still much to be done so that the country will not be caught unawares again.
”This virus has exposed how unprepared we are as a country with our health facilities not being in order.
”Now nobody is moving out and everyone is being treated within Nigeria, plying the same road and airline.
”With this development, government should be able to improve the infrastructure in the country, roads, health and other aspects,’’ he said.
Also speaking to NAN, Mr Godfrey Nwosu, former President, PAPDAN, said that every country in the world, when they make plans they make plans against tomorrow.
Nwosu said that what was happening in Nigeria had really exposed how unprepared the country was to handle emergency such as the COVID-19.
He suggested that from this moment, government should continue to put a lot of things in place.
According to him, the country has to get back the research institutions and fund them, a lot of funds should go to the health sector in the budget.
Nwosu said that there should also be a policy to keep within the country some of our best hands and there should be adequate encouragement for them.
Nwosu also the National Secretary of Association of Mobile Phone and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPAT) said that the government would have a lot of challenges after the pandemic.
He said that the pandemic was a big lesson not only to the government but to the people because people would learn to ask the right questions when things were not done the way they should be done.
According to him, things are going to change on the part of the government and they are going to do the right thing.
”The good news that is going to manifest after this is one that Nigerians would be happy with,’’ he said..
NAN reports that the current number of COVID-19 cases so far reported in the country is 111. (NAN)
SKA/OIF/DCU
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Donald Ugwu

Data
By Funmilola Gboteku
Lagos, March 30, 2020 (NAN) Some consumers, under the aegis of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers (ATCIS), have called on telecommunications companies in the country to reduce tariffs for voice, data and other services.

The consumers said this had become imperative due to current challenges and disruption triggered by Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) as well as the need to ease information flow.

Speaking on their behalf, the National President of the ATCIS, Sina Bilesanmi, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Bilesanmi urged telecom operators to be patriotic and not exploit the challenges caused by the global pandemic as an opportunity to make more money off their subscribers.

He explained that people and business organisations had now resorted to remote operations, as they now contend with movement restrictions.

Bilesanmi added that everyone had been left with voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS) and data services to keep up with daily business trends, social realities and information flow regarding COVID-19.

“With self-isolation and Federal Government’s lockdown to contain the spread of the virus, these measures will naturally lead to changes in consumers’ behaviours.

“These changes are reflected in the upsurge in the usage of collaborative tools to communicate, to do business and work from home as well as e-learning starting from primary, secondary to tertiary institutions.

“However, the situation at hand is a very delicate one and the only way we can have a breakthrough is by prioritising patriotism above personal gains and gratifications.

“Everyone is caught almost unprepared by COVID-19, forcing us to abandon our places of work to performing our duties at home,” Bilesanmi said.

He noted that no one would be able to work remotely, unless there is access to telecommunications services for voice and data.

Bilesanmi said that the period might appear as a good time for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to make more money as rate of spending on voice and data multiplies.

He, however, urged the operators not to see the period as an opportunity to increase profit margin.

“Our telecoms service providers, especially MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile and others, should see this time as an opportunity for them to further exhibit their value as responsible corporate citizens by slashing tariffs.

“At this point, people rely on data or telecoms services generally to obtain necessary information about the pandemic, especially regarding prevention tips and necessary steps to take in the event of suspected cases.

“Affordable access, undoubtedly, will connect the people to responders, including police, fire service, health workers, among others.

“We, therefore, call on the operators to support the fight against the deadly virus by cutting tariffs or create special bundles for subscribers to lessen the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 on individuals,” he said.

Bilesanmi also called for collaboration between the customers and telecoms operators, saying that if the virus must be defeated, access to telecoms services must not only be available but also affordable. (NAN)
FOG/KTO/AJA
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Adeleye Ajayi

Broadband

By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, March 30, 2020 (NAN) The Telecommunications Watch Group (TWG) has lauded the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Issa Pantami, for the successful completion of the mega projects to boost Nigeria’s economy.

Its Convener, Paul Adefarati and Secretary, Christie Nwachukwu, made the commendation in a statement on Monday in Ibadan.

It was coming few days after President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 with the inauguration of the communications and digital economy complex.

The group leaders said the inauguration and unveiling of the broadband plan was timely, adding that it came at a time when oil, the country’s major income generation was facing global downturn due to the ravaging Coronavirus (COVID-19).

They said that Pantami’s appointment was justified, having displayed high level of competence toward turning the sector to economic hub of the nation.

According to them, the sector will in a couple of years rival the current national earnings from the oil sector and surpass same, given the relentless efforts of the minister to revolutionise the communications sector.

They recalled that Pantami, as Director-General of Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), performed creditably well, saying such accounted for the high hopes that he would perform as a minister.

“At NITDA, Pantami’s innovations significantly helped the industry and the Nigerian nation to grow the IT sector.

“His successor, Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, is building on the successes recorded
to help grow the nation’s IT sub-sector,” the leader said.

They urged the minister to double its efforts on repositioning and transforming the communications industry which recently assisted in slashing the data rates for consumers.

The TWG also urged the minister not to pander to the threats of the dissidents and Boko Haram elements who were out to frustrate him.

The group leaders decried allegations that Pantami was waging proxy war to undermine Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In a related development, Dr Henry Nkemadu, the NCC Director of Public Affairs, said that no agency of the Federal Government gives subvention to another agency.

“By extant laws of the government, every agency makes its budget and gets approval for appropriation from the National Assembly, and such budgets are spent according to the appropriation of the National Assembly,” Nkemadu said.

He said in a statement that the NCC budget does not contain any allocation for subvention to a sister agency, adding that they could not create a provision in the budget for another agency to implement.

According to him, subventions to all agencies are done by the Federal Government with resources domiciled in the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), even salaries to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) come from there.

He said that NITDA, as an agency of the government, also draws its budget and spend same to execute programmes.

Nkemadu said that the minister had since the advent of the new administration encouraged good working relationship and close synergy with parastatals under the purview of the ministry.

He said that the minister had facilitated support at the highest levels of government to programmes and activities of the commission.

“The minister facilitated meetings with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on issues of Right of Way for expanding the telecommunications infrastructure and declaring telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI),” he said.

Nkemadu said that they do not receive any directive from Pantami and digital economy on funding any activity of NITDA and no approval was given in that regard.

He said that NCC had not entered into any partnership with NITDA to warrant any subvention for capacity building let alone implementing one.

Nkemadu said that aspect of creating budget for subvention does not arise. (NAN)
TAA/KOLE/GOK
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Olagoke Olatoye

COVID-19: Computer Village traders commend, observe LASG lockdown order

Commendation
By Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos, March 27, 2020 (NAN) Lagos Computer Village traders on Friday commended the Lagos State Government’s measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus, even as they complied 100 per cent with government’s directives.
They made the commendation on Friday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
NAN reports that the Lagos State Government had imposed a stay-at-home order in the state and also shut down all markets selling non-essentials, which included the Lagos Computer Village.
Checks revealed that there has been total compliance at the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, since the lockdown order was issued by the state government for traders selling non-essential commodities.
Mr Ifeanyi Akubue, the President, Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDAN), said that the order was the right step in the right direction to curb the pandemic.
Akubue said that the lockdown order by the government was commendable, as it would help enforce the stay-home order and curb the spread of COVID-19.
He said that there was total compliance at the Computer Village because it was a situation which involved life and no one was complaining in spite of the inconvenience.
According to him, government has tried its best by closing all the borders but should do more to protect those on essential duties because they still have families they go back to.
“Total lockdown is even better now, so that after the 14 days if we are free we will know.
“Even without the COVID-19, we should be aware that cleanliness is next to godliness and the practice of washing of hands should be a constant thing.
“Even after the pandemic, there will be reduced handshaking, hugging, and kissing because people have learnt their lessons,’’ Akubue said.
He said that our leaders had tried, but they should learn a lesson from the situation and make sure that health infrastructure in the country were in good order.
Mr Godfrey Nwosu, the National Secretary, Association of Mobile Phone and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPAT), also commended the lockdown, saying that it was the traders’ choice to obey.
Nwosu said that traders in the Computer Village did not have any other choice than to adhere to the government’s directives.
He said that curbing the spread of the pandemic was the major thing that the government and everyone was involved with right now.
“We are, however, hoping that with time everything will be brought under control, and life will go back to normal.
“At the same time, I want to use this opportunity to advise every trader-member that aside from not being in the market, in our places of residence we should adhere to the principles of social distancing.
“Keep our hygiene level up by washing our hands every 15 minutes to 20 minutes as well as observe every necessary preventive measure so that it does not continue to spread within our society.
Nwosu said that the scare of the virus would run in the mind of the world and its leaders for a long time.
Also speaking to NAN, Mr Austin Agbakor, Chief Executive Officer, Software Shop, said that there was total adherence to the lockdown order.
Agbakor said that the lockdown of the Computer Village was necessary, being a multinational market.
According to him, “we are helping the state and the country as a whole by staying home and adhering to the principles of social distancing.
“It is good that we help the government to reduce the extent of this COVID-19, so it is important that we adhere to government commendable directives.
NAN reports that as at March 26, there were 65 cases of COVID-19 in the country, two already discharged, six to be discharged soon, one death and 46 active cases. (NAN)
SKA/COF/DCU
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Donald Ugwu

COVID-19: Airtel introduces attractive bundles for video conferencing

Airtel
By Funmilola Gboteku
Lagos, March 27, 2020 (NAN) Airtel Nigeria says it has introduced attractive data bundles on video calls to enable subscribers conduct meetings and conferences remotely to ease pain of quarantine.
Mr Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, made this known in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Ogunsanya said that over the last few days, the telco had been inundated with what was happening around the world with COVID-19.
“Although Africa is one of the last regions to be hit, there is still a lot we do not know and the uncertainty weighs in on all of us.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the virus either directly or indirectly.
“At this point, we know that our first priority must be you and your family’s health and well-being.
“Our hearts also goes out to those at the front line: medical staff and caregivers who put themselves at risk to do all it takes to serve others,” he said.
Ogunsanya said that in order to help in the fight against the virus, the telco would also be providing an essential service to keep subscribers and the country connected.
He said company knew that there was a great responsibility on it as network providers, to do all to make sure everything worked at this time of stress.
“As work from home becomes commonplace, staying in touch and businesses should not come to a standstill and so we wish to share tips to ease your work from home.
“The Airtel 4G Mifi and Routers connect up to 32 devices, connecting people to their clients, associates, friends and loved ones.
“To ease the pain of quarantine, we’ve introduced attractive data bundles on video calls, so you can conduct meetings and conferences remotely and also double the data every time you top-up a 4G connection.
“While you are at home, you can entertain yourself with the Airtel TV App.
“It brings a world of entertainment straight to your phone and is free for all Airtel users with no subscription fees,” the managing director said.
He noted that the organisation would continue to assess the situation and take appropriate action so that subscribers would have no disruptions and could stay connected with their loved ones. (NAN)
FOG/IKU/DCU
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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Donald Ugwu

COVID-19: AMPAT urges members to sacrifice, show love

Sacrifice
By Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos, March 26, 2020 (NAN) Association of Mobile Phone and Allied Products Trader of Nigeria (AMPAT) has urged its members to look beyond profit making but to obey the State Government stay at home order to curb the spread of the  Corona virus disease (Covid 19) pandemic.

The association’s president, Mr Musa Haruna Mamza, made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Mamza said that members should make lots of sacrifice at this trying time by adhering strictly to the order by the government to curtail the spread of the virus.

NAN reports that Lagos state government had issued a lock down order of non essential commodity market in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

He said that it was also a period to show love to one another and not discriminate or stigmatise anyone.

According to him, this is the right time to make sacrifice for the country and for humanity sake.

“It is not the time to be talking about profit making.

”As far as I am concerned, government is taking adequate measures; and we are in line and in tune with what government is doing.

”I also strongly believe that lock down is the best policy in order to restrict the movement of people to curb the spread of the virus.

” I also urge shop owners to adopt recommended preventive measures such as water intake, hand washing, sanitiser use for customers and staff, practicing personal hygiene and keeping the environment clean even after the lock down  is lifted,’’ he added.

Mamza appealed for calm and patience, saying the situation would go away like other previous pandemic did.

”We should also restrict our movement at this time and an opportunity to show love to one another.”

NAN reports that there are presently 51 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country, with one reported death, two discharged cases and 48 active cases. (NAN)
SKA/KOO/DCU
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Donald Ugwu