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:

To reduce the incidence of forgery, the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN has approved the design of a new certificate with security features unscripted on it.

In the past four months, there has been unusual attention and comments in the media about frequency spectrum sales and allocations by the telecom regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The allegations of underhand frequency dealings were made topical by one of the national dailies which devoted its front pages to report the matter.

At the launch of the Microsoft 4Africa initiative yesterday in Lagos, the global software giant, has disclosed its plans to commit about N12 billion in the African market as part of its initiative to help improve the continent’s global competitiveness.

The recent ban imposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission on lotteries and promotions being conducted by mobile phone network operators is one that has received mixed reactions in the media, some of which are against the ban.

RISING from a national stakeholders’ workshop and exhibition on National System of Innovation (NSI), participants resolved that for Nigeria to become one of the top 20 economies by the year 2020, the country needs to urgently entrench science, technology and innovation into the system.

By the time final draft report and findings on new interconnect rates determination for voice services were presented to the workshop organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC on Interconnect Costing model study to the telecoms operators last week in Lagos, arguments swung from left and right.

EVER since the fortunes of the nation’s security took a downward spiral, culminating in the recent attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, many Nigerians have spoken out on the need to further secure the country against internal and external incursions.

Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Ita Bassey Okon Ewa has said that the Federal Government through its research agency, SHEDA Science and Technology Complex, Abuja has concluded plans to partner the European Union and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO to enable Nigeria domesticate solar technology in the country.

THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), says it prosecuted 31 copyright cases in 2012, 26 of which were criminal convictions of pirates and five civil suits.

While listing measures that would help Nigerian IT sector to be part of digital economy, the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, has said that effective Infrastructure sharing policy holds the key to broadband penetration in the country.

With the establishment of a prize for excellence dedicated to software startups, President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Chris Uwaje has said with optimism that Nigerian youths will be empowered with digital entrepreneurship that will prepare them for the 21st century job market.

…Lauds BOI’s single digit interest rate
While commending Bank of Industry for its single digit interest rate for the ICT sector, the Information Technology Association of Nigeria, (ITAN) has called on the Federal Government to set aside fund for the ICT sector so as to encourage growth of small local ICT companies in the challenging market environment

The common understanding among stakeholders in the nations ICT sector is that the people including the government do not have enough information about the importance of the Information and Communication Technology, ICT industry and its infrastructure in economic development.