Against the backdrop of the heat constantly generated by poor quality of telecoms services in the country, the telecoms operators and the government have been collaborating on ways to put an end to the unfortunate development.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has said that the major reason behind setting up over 228 Rural Information Technology Centres, RITCs across the nation was to boost internet penetration, particularly in rural areas. NITDA also said that the effort would not only spur Internet usage but make Nigerians digital citizens.

….Commends partnership with Shell, Interswitch
The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson has commended Intel Corporation, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Interswitch for their support towards redirecting the objectives of educational development from knowledge based to empowerment.

While stakeholders in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have expressed support for the passage of Cyber crime bill which seeks to provide for offense and penalties relating specifically to cyber crimes and general computer misuse, the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), has backed the passage of the bill waiting presidential approval in the national assembly.

The Bayelsa State Government is building a digital and integrated security control and communications centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Just as it helps local developers deliver applications that are relevant to the local setting with application programming interface (API), Yookos, African social networking hub has repositioned its online platform to make social networking more exciting to its over 10 million users.

TOP telecoms operator, Globacom has introduced five new subscriber-friendly tariff plans targeted at its prepaid customers. The new plans, Hi-Flyer and Talkfree have been introduced to address the needs of high value voice and data subscribers while the new G-Bam, new Infinito and new Gista which already exist, have been repackaged to offer more value to customers.

The 21st work environment has made computer ‘a must’ for everybody. However, some also buy laptops to be counted among the 21st century complaints. In Nigeria, particularly, a lot of people buy laptops, mostly the tablet genres, just for status symbol.

What are our youths driving at, making the social media a second nature? From the lecture halls to the dinning rooms and in the churches, hands are permanently locked away on the keyboards of the iPad, Blackberry or mini laptops. Addiction has set in, taking over the better part of a normal life.

As an intervention strategy to create economic opportunities for 300 million youth over the next three years in Africa, the global software giant, Microsoft Corp has announced its ongoing commitment to driving opportunities for African youth through its YouthSpark initiative.

Nigeria may soon attract more foreign direct investment, FDI, particularly in the ICT sector, as Pyramid Research has just released the report of its 2013 top trends in global communications with a declaration that Nigeria still remained top spot for telecom investments in Middle East and Africa.

Managing Director of Dermo Imprex Nigeria, Dr. Antony Uwa has given reasons for the delay in implementing the Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria (BRISIN), an integrated data and information project for Nigeria since 2007.

The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has raised the bar for its signature annual event as the Chairman, Quantum Capital Group and the Jim Ovia foundation, Jim Ovia, will deliver the keynote at the 2013 President dinner slated for this month in Lagos.

Despite challenges, efforts are underway to bridge the digital divide in Africa with the introduction of Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, a new effort through which the software giant would actively engage in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness.

Recently, the Telecom Answers Associates, a technical partner with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC announced a business workshop on Broadband expansion program. The Business Workshop is expected to feature discussions on implementation modalities of the Program and also on topics such as Investment Opportunities in Infrastructure Extension; Content Development; Challenges of the Industry; Accessing Funding Opportunities as well as Operating Environment and Regulatory Requirements; amongst others. In this interview, the organizer of the programme, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu shed more light on the essence of the workshop, which is to expand the reach of Broadband infrastructure in Nigeria. Excerpts: