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Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications has said that the Federal Government would ensure that Nigeria would not continue to be a dumping ground for Information Communication Technology (ICT) products and other foreign goods.
Shittu gave the promise speaking at the ongoing 10th edition of the eNigeria 2017 Conference organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The theme of the conference is ‘’Fostering Digital Economy through Local Content Development and Effective Regulation’’ and is expected to end Nov. 9.
The minister said in realising the objective, “government will do everything possible to protect local products and services.’’
He said that the country would also promote locally made ICT products.
“To inventors and innovators, I want to assure that any service and innovation that Nigeria can attain sufficiency and durability, government will take steps to prevent further using of Nigeria as a dumping ground.’’ he said.
Shittu recalled that the Federal Government, on July 17, 2012, issued some directives and guidelines to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronise locally made ICT products.
The minister, however, expressed concern that the patronage remained low in spite of the directive.
According to him, the government is more dedicated to enforce the guidelines to ensure economy diversification.
The minister stressed that ICT, being the driver of other sectors, should be given a premium for maximum benefits to the country. `
‘’I strongly believe that this gathering will enhance the quality of our indigenous ICT services and products.’’
Dr Isa Pantami, Director-General, (NITDA), in his address of welcome said that the rate of unemployment in the country was alarming.
He, however, expressed optimism that ICT sector and entrepreneurship could create jobs in the country.
Pantami noted that Nigeria was blessed with large population of youths that were highly talented in the use of ICT products, adding that it was necessary to leverage on their capability.
“Our unemployment rate is very alarming; the only way to reduce that burden on the Federal Government is to ensure that we create so many entrepreneurs through ICT.
“This will enable the citizens to be self-reliant and contribute to the economy of our country.
“Digital economy is very important; many nations today are running away from conventional economy to digital one for transformation.
“We have the advantage of a high population of youths, they are ICT addicted, it is a clear indication that Nigeria is in a position to embark on the journey of significant digital economy.
“We have young talented Nigerians making us proud globally, we need to mentor them, give them the necessary support so that they can support the country in moving to digital economy,” he said.
According to Pantami, in spite the country’s recession period in 2016, online communications generated over 50 trillion within the country.
He said that Nigeria had hardware, software that needed to be improved upon for its local content to stand out at the international level.
Pantami said that it was necessary to give priority to improving local content than considering importation as an alternative.
The director-general also said that effective regulation would enhance security situation in the country.
He, however, said that the agency was ensuring regulation for ICT projects in MDAs to bring money, value and avoid over pricing.
Pantami added that the agency had saved money for the country through regulation.
According to him, NITDA is also engaging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Auditor General of the Federation to ensure MDAs do not siphon public funds through ICT projects.
The conference, which featured award and exhibition, brought together ICT experts from the private and public sector.
The conference is also aimed at discussing emerging technological trends, indigenous innovations, challenges in the ICT sector, enables stakeholders to make resolutions on the way forward to develop the sector and create jobs.
The conference has sub-themes such as ‘’Roadmap toward National ICT skills Framework Development and Building a National Health Information Technology Ecosystem, among other topics.
The President, Muhammadu Buhari, declared the three-day conference open.
Edited by: Constance Athekame/Dada Ahmed
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it is putting in place modalities to reduce the estimated two billion dollars (about N720 billion) being lost as capital flights to importation of Information Technology (IT).
NITDA’s Director-General, Dr Isa Pantami said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos at the ongoing 37th Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), holding at the Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arabs Emirates (UAE).
Pantami said that the capital flight was as a result of importation of foreign technologies into the country.
He said that there was a need for Nigeria to promote local technology solutions to develop Nigerian youths in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
According to him, this will truly catapult Nigeria into becoming one of the countries to be reckoned with on the global ICT map.
”NITDA has realised the need to develop our ICT ecosystem, the indigenous IT companies and the start-ups by offering them an enabling environment in terms of policy and laws to operate.
”This is one of the ways Nigeria can adopt to curb annual two billion dollars (N720 billion) capital flight,” he said.
Pantami said that the agency had gone to GITEX with seven agenda designed to develop Nigeria’s IT industry and curb the huge annual capital flight.
”These include promoting IT regulations in Nigeria, IT development and promotions, striking partnership on how to better secure Nigerian cyberspace and capacity building.
”It also include promotion of e-government in Nigeria, showcasing indigenous tech innovations as well as looking for investors, who will assist in supporting local development of Nigeria’s IT industry,” he said.
The D-G said that NITDA was working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that the annual estimated N37.8 billion wasted on frivolous ICT projects was curbed through enforcing NITDA Act.
He said that the Act stated that all MDAs must get clearance from NITDA for any IT project they wanted to embark upon to ensure those projects were implementable.
According to him, NITDA’s screening of an MDA’s IT project conducted recently resulted in saving government N500 million.
”This is saved from a single IT project and you can now imagine how much we will be saving government as an agency, if thorough screening of all MDAs’ IT projects are carried out in the country,” Pantami said.
Edited by: Grace Yussuf
Connected Development (CODE), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged the Federal Government to strengthen existing institutions that can address concerns of the proposed non-governmental regulation bill presently before the National Assembly.
Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive Officer CODE made the call at the organisation’s annual news briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The bill was sponsored by Mr Umar Jibril, the Deputy House Leader, House of Representatives.
The bill is reportedly aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the collection and disbursement of NGOs’ funds through the establishment of a regulatory agency.
Lawal, however, said that there were existing government agencies that could keep track of how Non Governmental Organisations received and utilised funds from donours.
He added that setting up a regulatory agency would also halter the government’s plans to reduce the cost of governance.
According to him, it will also undermine the aims of democracy.
“The civil society is that group that makes sure there are stronger democratic institutions in a country.
“Rather than debating on a commission that will take more money on recurrent expenditure, the government should strengthen existing ones and provide them with adequate funding to carry on their operations.
“Today, the Corporate Affairs Commission has statistics of registered NGOs; FIRS and the National Assembly constitutionally can access this information and see those that have filed in reports since their existence.
“Besides, the EFCC has a department, Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, where CSOs are required to fill a form to intimate them on how much money they get and how such money is spent.”
He also expressed concern that the agency, if created, could be biased in its operations with some NGOs.
“Let us be practical, this is Nigeria; assuming the commission does not like the work of our initiative, www.followthemoneyng.org for instance, it means that the organisation’s license may be withdrawn without reason,” he said.
The NGO regulatory agency, if established, would be headed by an Executive Secretary and a 17-member Governing Board to be appointed by the President for a five-year tenure.
Its functions would include the issuance of licences to all NGOs which would be renewed every two years and if the agency’s board does not renew an organisation’s license, such organisation would seize to exist.
The agency will grant permission to NGOs to execute projects and they will also regulate how the funds the NGOs receive from donours are spent.
Edited by: Ese E. Ekama
(NAN)
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, has urged Nigerians to support the commission in the anti-corruption fight, saying it could not do it alone.
Uwujaren made the call while addressing audience at “Kill Corruption Concert” on Sunday evening in Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 57th Independence anniversary.
The concert was organised by a comedian, Lukmon Oni, popularly known as ‘Ambassador Wahala’ of 104.5 FM and other on-air personalities in the Federal Capital Territory.
The programme was supported by EFCC, Option A4 and other stakeholders in the territory.
“Nigeria is a beautiful country but corrupt people have destroyed it with their unpatriotic financial criminality.
“I call on all Nigerians to support the EFCC to stop them, because we have no other country than Nigeria. We must fight and kill corruption in this country.
“The truth is that EFCC cannot fight corruption alone and win. We need your support to win this fight.
“The success of Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman of EFCC so far was as a result of the support from patriotic Nigerians to him and the commission,” Uwajaren said.
He stressed that Nigerian should assist the commission to rid the country of corruption, insisting that the vice should not be tolerated.
Nigeria News Agency reports that the concert showcased performances by Abuja-based comedians, artistes and on-air personalities.
High point of the event was the public display of a red-coloured casket by ‘Ambassador Wahala’ to signify “the death of corruption in the country”.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to partner in the fight against corrupt.
The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu and the Director-General of NITDA, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami reaffirmed the commitment when the EFCC boss paid a visit to NITDA corporate headquarters in Abuja.
This is according to a statement by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, NITDA on Wednesday in Abuja,
Pantami, while welcoming EFCC officials, said that the partnership would be channeled toward the fight against corruption to save funds for the growth and development of the country
“Anything you do in the aspect of anti-corruption will surely lead to retaliation by perpetrators as long as what is legal is made illegal and legitimate is made illegitimate; that is corruption and more effort is needed to fight such crimes.
“According to a slogan by the President Muhammadu Buhari which says if you fight corruption, corruption will fight you back, which is why EFCC is working all round to curb the menace of such act,’’ he added.
Pantami said that the effort of EFCC in the fight against corruption was for the country at large, any nation fighting corruption would be doing it for the develop and to better the living standards of citizens.
“Some MDAs repeatedly engage in IT projects, which there is no provision for its sustainability afterward and information technology is one of the areas which has been used to siphon government funds simply because of its complexity.
“Many MDAs come to NITDA to seek IT clearance for their projects and services, which the agency has professionals and experts that will analyse the project critically to know its authenticity before embarking on them to save funds for the government,’’ he said.
The Acting Chairman of EFCC in his remarks said that the two government organisations had a lot in common and more needed to be learnt from each other.
“EFCC needs the support of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption for the betterment of our future generation because the commission cannot do it alone.
“Corruption is the biggest problem in the country; things need to be done the right way, which will curb the menace it has brought upon our country,’’ he said.
Magu appreciates the effort of NITDA in the fight against corruption, saying it had the support of his office in delivering its goals and objectives for the growth and development of the country.
Edited by: Grace Yussuf
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to partner in the fight against corrupt.
The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu and the Director-General of NITDA, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami reaffirmed the commitment when the EFCC boss paid a visit to NITDA corporate headquarters in Abuja.
This is according to a statement by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, NITDA on Wednesday in Abuja,
Pantami, while welcoming EFCC officials, said that the partnership would be channeled toward the fight against corruption to save funds for the growth and development of the country
“Anything you do in the aspect of anti-corruption will surely lead to retaliation by perpetrators as long as what is legal is made illegal and legitimate is made illegitimate; that is corruption and more effort is needed to fight such crimes.
“According to a slogan by the President Muhammadu Buhari which says if you fight corruption, corruption will fight you back, which is why EFCC is working all round to curb the menace of such act,’’ he added.
Pantami said that the effort of EFCC in the fight against corruption was for the country at large, any nation fighting corruption would be doing it for the develop and to better the living standards of citizens.
“Some MDAs repeatedly engage in IT projects, which there is no provision for its sustainability afterward and information technology is one of the areas which has been used to siphon government funds simply because of its complexity.
“Many MDAs come to NITDA to seek IT clearance for their projects and services, which the agency has professionals and experts that will analyse the project critically to know its authenticity before embarking on them to save funds for the government,’’ he said.
The Acting Chairman of EFCC in his remarks said that the two government organisations had a lot in common and more needed to be learnt from each other.
“EFCC needs the support of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption for the betterment of our future generation because the commission cannot do it alone.
“Corruption is the biggest problem in the country; things need to be done the right way, which will curb the menace it has brought upon our country,’’ he said.
Magu appreciates the effort of NITDA in the fight against corruption, saying it had the support of his office in delivering its goals and objectives for the growth and development of the country.
Edited by: Grace Yussuf
Charly Boy leads protest for Diezani’s extradition for alleged corruption
NAN-H-86
Protest
Abuja, Aug.28, 2017 Mr Charles Oputa, also known as “Charly Boy” on Monday led the “Our Mumu Don Do” Movement to the headquarters of EFCC, in Abuja to demand the extradition of Diezani Allison-Madueke from the UK for trial over corruption allegations.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that the “Our Mumu Don Do” Movement is a coalition of civil society groups that advocate good governance and corruption-free leadership at all levels of government.
Charly Boy, who spoke on behalf of the group with the hash tag “#BringBackDiezani” urged the EFCC to take urgent steps to ensure that the embattled former minister of petroleum was brought back.
“Following recent mind-boggling allegations of corruption and looting of public funds by the former Minister for Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, we call on the EFCC to bring her back for trial.
“It could be recalled that Federal High Court has ordered her to permanently forfeit several luxurious property in several high brow areas across the country to the Federal Government.
“Nigerians are suffering, while she, like many other looters is enjoying in London.
“Let her come and clear herself, and if that is not possible, let them assist the United Kingdom to prosecute her, because corruption must not go unpunished,” Charly Boy said.
The maverick entertainer and activist maintained that the group was set to stage a series of daily sit-out in front of the EFCC headquarters until their demand was met.
Responding on behalf of the commission, the Secretary to the EFCC, Mr Emmanuel Aremu said that the commission would take necessary steps to ensure that Diezani was repatriated to answer the allegations.
He, however, urged the group to exercise patience while keeping faith with the commission as it delivered on its anti-graft mandate, saying that due process must be followed in the Diezani’s case.
Edited /Yusuf Zango
Nigerian energy businessman Kola Aluko, declared wanted by the EFCC, has been identified as the owner of Apartment 79, a penthouse apartment in One57, one of New York City’s most expensive residential buildings.
However, the apartment would be sold to the highest bidder by a Luxembourg based Banque Havilland, in a foreclosure auction in July, the New York Post reported.
The penthouse sale is seen as the most expensive foreclosure in New York City.
Aluko, 48, is believed to be hiding out on his yacht, which he rented to Jay Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for 900,000 dollars a week.
The energy businessman, who is a friend of stars such as Jay Z and Jamie Foxx, has not been seen for a while, which has sparked rumours that he is hiding away on his yacht, which was last registered in the Bahamas in May.
Aluko was reportedly last seen in Hong Kong in May and his yacht is currently in the Bahamas, according to the report.
His bank has also listed the yacht, the Galactica Star, as collateral in the foreclosure, but the yacht is ‘out of range’ at the moment.
Aluko rented the Galactica Star to Jay Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for 900,000 dollars a week and allegedly showed up at the Ja Rule Fyre Festival in the Bahamas in late April with his yacht.
The businessman is also close friends with Leonardo DiCaprio and made a large donation to DiCaprio’s environmental charity as well as attended the actor’s birthday party in New York City in 2013.
The energy tycoon sold a 2.4-acre estate in Montecito, California, to Gwyneth Paltrow for an undermarket 4.9million dollars.
In 2012, he bought an 11,478-square-foot house in Bel Air for 24.5 million dollars, then sold the property in 2016 for 21.5 million dollars.
He also owns a home in Beverly Hills that was also purchased in 2012 for 14.7 million dollars.
Aluko is also avoiding Nigerian authorities who tried to freeze his assets in February as part of a money-laundering probe.
Apartment 79 was sold to a Aluko in December 2014 for 50.9million dollars, making it the eighth most expensive unit in the building, according to New York City property records.
Less than a year later however, he took out a 35.5million dollars mortgage from Banque Havilland in Luxembourg to help pay for the apartment.
When Aluko failed to pay the loan back a year later, the bank took possession of the 6,420-square-foot apartment, according to court documents.
Now the bank is planning to auction off the four-bedroom apartment on July 19 to regain the mortgage plus interest.
“It’s probably the most-expensive foreclosure we’ve ever seen in luxury development. I don’t know of a foreclosure that’s larger than that,” Donna Olshan, president of high-end Manhattan brokerage Olshan Realty Inc., told newsmen.
One57 was built by Extell Development Co. and was the tallest residential building in Manhattan until 432 Park Ave was completed a few months later.
Construction started on the building in 2009 and finished in 2014, creating a trend of similar ultra-luxury high-rises on 57th street, which has now been coined ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
Amenities in the building include a 24-hour doorman and concierge, fitness center, yoga studio, private dining room, catering kitchen, library, valet service and on-site parking.
APT/
.2bn loan: Etisalat Nigeria not under investigation -Management .2bn loan: Etisalat Nigeria not under investigation -ManagementEtisalat Nigeria has dismissed reports making the rounds in the media that it is being investigated by the EFCC over utilisation of the 1.2 billion dollars loan obtained from a consortium of banks.
A statement by Mr Ibrahim Dikko, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria on the company’s website in Abuja on Thursday described the reports as blatant false and most unfortunate.
Etisalat Nigeria had obtained a 1.2 billion dollars medium-term seven-year facility for the purpose of expanding its network and improving the quality of service on its network.
Dikko said that the economic downturn of 2015 and sharp devaluations of the naira negatively impacted on the dollar-denominated loan by driving up the loan value.
He said that this prompted Etisalat to request a restructuring loan from the consortium.
He said that the report was most unfortunate considering the damage such misleading information could have on its business and the entire communication industry in the country.
Dikko said that a simple interrogation of the rigorous process for securing a syndicated loan from a consortium of reputable banks would have exposed the truth to the original writer of the story.
He said that the concerned parties had access to its books and did not require an investigation into how the loan sum was utilised.
“It is crucial for the media to correctly inform the general public by providing the relevant micro-economic context Etisalat Nigeria encountered in meeting up with the loan obligation.
“Contrary to the widely reported misrepresentations about Etisalat Nigeria’s debt obligation to the consortium of 13 banks, it has become pertinent to set the records straight,’’ it said.
Dikko said that Etisalat had consistently and conscientiously met with its payment obligations prior to this time.
“As at today, we can categorically state that the outstanding loan sum to the consortium stands at 227million dollars and N113 billion, a total of about 574 million dollars, if the
naira portion is converted to dollars.
“This in essence means almost half of the original loan of 1.2 billion dollars has been repaid,’’ he said.
He said that Etisalat had continued to service the loan up until February 2017, when discussions with the banks regarding the repayment restructuring commenced
He further explained that the infrastructure investment and services for which the loan was secured were paid through its banks, adding that these were verifiable.
“We hereby appeal to our media partners to continue to uphold the ethics of the profession by exercising some restraint particularly in the publication of such misleading and damaging information.
“We have been accessible and remain available to the media to clarify or verify information when required,’’ he said.
Edited by: Grace Yussuf
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says the country needs 32 million Set Top Box (STB) for it to switch from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
The Director-General of NBC, Mr Ishaq Kawu made this known during a news conference on Digital Switch Over (DSO) held in Lagos on Friday.
Kawu said that the number was arrived at by dividing 191 million Nigerians by six, which represented the number of a household.
He said that the DSO process was a huge financial, technical and logistical challenge.
According to him, switching on a huge country like Nigeria requires tremendous financial commitment.
He said that an STB costs 45 dollars and the commission had made a commitment of eight million units which would amount to 26 million dollars.
According to him, the price is a huge cost for Nigerians hence, the Federal Government has to subsidise it to N1, 500 per STB.
“We are looking at 20 dollars per box so that it will be affordable. We are trying as much as possible to manufacture the boxes locally.
“Similarly, our Set-Top-Box manufacturers has committed resources to the importation of 850, 000 STBs from China.
“But because the EFCC had seized funds from the NBC under the ancient regime at the NBC, we cannot meet our commitment, which totaled the sum of 26million dollars.
“Thankfully, President Muhammadu Buhari, who had always been convinced of the importance of Nigeria’s DSO process, finally approved release of the seized sum of N10 billion to the NBC. That took place in September 2016,” he said.
Kawu said that the DSO was successfully carried that out in Abuja in December 2016, offering in the process 30 local, regional and national channels to viewers.
He said that there was an upgrade to the 15 channels offered in Jos, Plateau, when the NBC launched the pilot phase of DSO in April 2016.
According to him, in 2016 alone, NBS achieved much more than it has been done in the lead to the deadlines of 2012 and 2015.
“It is also significant to let you know that we appointed a company known as The Outsource Company (TOC) as the call center managers for the switchover starting from Abuja.
“They commenced with appointing 30 call agents, but that was soon increased to 90.
“They work three shifts every day, in order to meet the demands of viewers who either want to activate their boxes or make complaints or inquiries.
“So far, a total of 745,480 STBs have been imported into the country; 566,478 have been delivered, while 485,409 have been sold and 332,095 were activated in Jos and Abuja,” he said.
The D-G said that NBS had continued to receive tremendous support of the Federal Government, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He said that to accelerate the progress of work, the commission was engaging with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
According to him, this is to ensure that the states can partner with the commission, especially in the procurement of Set-Top-Boxes.
“The engagement will ensure critical assistance for the installation of transmission systems by our signal distributors.
“The NBC and the stakeholders of the DSO process are committed to achieving the completion of the process.
“We will intensify publicity so that Nigerians can better appreciate the significance of the process, how far we have come and what more mileage needs to be covered.
“The DSO process is changing the face of television in Nigeria.
“We thank Nigerians for their continued support in our march to digitise broadcasting in Nigeria,” he said.
Edited by: Grace Yussuf
