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.

NOW, shipments of toxic wastes to Nigeria are recurring with more regularity. Every now and then Nigeria has become a dumping ground for toxic waste materials from Europe and other nations who want to rid their environment of toxic waste materials.

From all indications, broadband could lead ICT economy in 2013. Being arguably the second mainstay of the economy after oil, improvement in the ICT economy will surely impact positively on the economy.