As part of efforts to stem HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, MTN Foundation last week commissioned a Youth Friendly Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

TO ensure that Nigerian companies and Nigerians participate more meaningfully in one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, Information Communication Technology, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has said that the import duty regime should favour locally manufactured ICT products to encourage local manufacturing which would stimulate employment opportunities and bring about input of local raw materials.

So Harris has put its broadcast communications operation up for sale. Look for lots of speculation about who will take that business on, as well as questions about what the sale says about the industry.

In this interview with the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Engr. Eugene Juwah with some journalists, he spoke on the factors responsible for the delay of the SIM card registration, the amount so far spent, challenges, and plans to facilitate the speedy conclusion of the project. He also spoke on other salient issues such as the recent sanction of service providers for poor quality of service, broadband project plan, number portability among others. Excerpts:

…Raids Lagos firm, carts away programmes in use
While software piracy remains unabated despite legislation and awareness creation by regulatory authority and relevant agencies, the Nigerian Copyright Commission, (NCC) has warned that henceforth, it is going to be zero tolerance on software pirates, even as it raided the offices of a top, Lagos-based firm of estate managers and valuers (names withheld) on grounds of software piracy infringement.

Nigeria would soon experience a solar powered telecommunications network tagged WorldGSM through a company under the Shyam Group, VNL. Shyan Group is a West African and Middle East based Operator.

With total revenue of $32.4 billion for its 2011 operation year, Huawei, one of the leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, has disclosed that it plans to set up 3 Global Network Operation Centers (GNOC) in the country.

In a bid to leverage on its high subscriber base in the country, MTN Nigeria last week unveiled its novel service on mobile advertising.

A draft of the National Software Policy for Nigeria has been submitted to the National Information Development Agency of Nigeria (NITDA).

Wake-Up, Wake-Up, Wake-Up! The Book of Isaiah and Revelation have said enough on apathy and docility, and there may be nothing more to say? But how long will Nigeria harbour and ignorantly elude the dreaded software catastrophe that has stated and continues to haunt all nations of the world? At last, one of the most complex threats to the emerging information society (IS) ever discovered, is here! Will Africa (Nigeria) sooner or later become the ultimate victim and loser?