The new Managing Director, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michiel Buitelaar, in this interview with Emeka Aginam spoke on the company’s new direction and strategies to educate the masses on the offerings of Smile Communications. Excerpts:

BARELY three months after Microsoft Devices introduced Lumia 535 as its first flagship signaling the end of Nokia in the mobile phone ecosystem, the smart device has continued to gain market attention as a result of many exciting features especially dual SIM and large screen advantage.

Federal government is trying hard to prove that their desire to anchor the economy on Information and Communications Technology, ICT is not a fluke. This apparently has given rise to the introduction of numerous initiatives which tend to deepen digital awareness across all sectors of economy including governance.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, last week embarked on a capacity development conference for Nigerian youth on use of social media as citizens during the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

The Federal Government last week, unveiled the Ka-Band utilization for rural dwellers in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja. The project, though, managed by One Network, a specialized agent network management organization, is a partnership between the Nigerian Postal Services, NIPOST and the Nigerian Communications Satellite, NigComSat on the deployment of KA-Band satellite services for rural connectivity via the post.

ANOTHER winner in the on-going MTN Cash Quest consumer promotion has emerged. He is Chigozie Okoh, a native of Ebonyi State. Chigozie had the dream of studying engineering in the tertiary institution as a young boy. That dream received a set-back the day his parents told him they may not be able to fund his tertiary education. Of course, he wept.

In just one year, Internet security firm Kaspersky Lab, said that Hackers have stolen approximately $1 billion in what could be one of the largest bank heists ever.

Sustainable growth of the Information and Communications Technology sector in Nigeria and West Africa is dependent on developing innovative technologies to solve the sector’s toughest power management challenges, Charles Iyo, West Africa Sales Manager, Electrical Sector. Eaton has said.

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, has said privatising the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) is key to improve the country’s telecommunication technology sector.

While Nigerians were ushering in the New Year, outspoken Catholic Priest, Father Ejike Mbaka was calling on Nigerians to usher President Goodluck Jonathan out of office come election time.