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To Live, Lead In The Future Embrace And Utilise ICT – Danbatta Urges Youths

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To Live, Lead In The Future Embrace And Utilise ICT – Danbatta Urges Youths

…NCC is working collaboratively and strategically with its supervising ministry, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – Danbatta

Olushola Okunlade 

Reckoning that 70 per cent of the new value to be created in the economy over the next decades will be based on digitally-enabled platform business models, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated unequivocally that it is focused on implementing all sectoral interventions focused on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) youth empowerment, Prof. Umar Danbatta.

Danbatta made this declaration while delivering the 10th and 11th combined Convocation Lecture of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State. He asserted that the resolve of the Commission to pursue very vigorously a bouquet of ICT programs focused on the youth is based on the projected opportunity for the youth in the emerging ICT-based labour market.

Danbatta recalled that statistics from Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), have indicated that unique mobile subscriptions are expected to grow up to 5.7 billion by 2025 with concurrent growth in Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) connections, and Internet subscriptions and corresponding growth in operators’ revenue and investment.

The CEO of NCC also said that fourth-generation (4G) connections are expected to grow to 57 per cent; Fifth Generation (5G) is also envisaged to have 1.8 billion connections; usage of smartphones is projected to grow to 81 per cent; Internet of Things (IoT) will grow from 13.1 billion to 24 billion connections; and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the mobile industry is expected to grow by, at least, 5.1 per cent by 2025.

The implications of the foregoing, according to Danbatta, are a huge, incredible opportunity for youth to own businesses.

“Therefore, while NCC is working collaboratively and strategically with its supervising ministry, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, it is also working with young Nigerians to prepare them for harnessing these opportunities for personal and national prosperity. It is this huge prospect that informed NCC to institute a number of initiatives and interventions targeting the youth in a unique and unprecedented institutionalisation of strategic collaboration and partnership,” he said.

Danbatta Pivots Nigeria’s Socio-economic Development on ICT Adoption, Utilisation
Prof Danbatta, delivering the convocation lecture.
Danbatta Pivots Nigeria’s Socio-economic Development on ICT Adoption, Utilisation
Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC; and NCC EVC Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta

The programs, according to Danbatta, include the ICT Hubs Support and Engagement, which is a forum that brings together key players, actors, and the youths in the Nigerian tech-ecosystem to deliberate and suggest policy framework and strategies that could further develop the sector to catalyse improved local content in the ICT/telecommunications sector.

There is also the annual ICT Innovation Competition and Exhibition aimed at facilitating sustainable digital start-ups’ development through a platform to showcase their digital innovative solutions.

Also, the Annual Hackathon is designed to challenge start-ups and tech hubs in Nigeria to produce impactful and sustainable innovative solutions that will address common societal challenges using digital technologies.

Danbatta said the ICT Park Project being built across the six geo-political zones of the country to boost digital skills among young people, promote innovation, provide jobs for young Nigerians and ultimately support the Federal Government Digital Agenda is equally a strategic program focused on harnessing and optimizing the youths’ creative energy for development.

Other related projects in this regard include the NCC National Essay Competition engaging undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary institutions to explore and enhance research in tertiary institutions and build capacity.

In addition, the school support programs which include the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP), a special intervention initiated as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in response to the digital information knowledge gap observed in the country; as well as the Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI), instituted to bridge the knowledge skill gap in higher institutions of learning, largely target the youth and students.

Accordingly, Danbatta called on the youth to consciously take note of emergent segments in ICT that are available for them to explore. These, according to him, include Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data.

He also enjoined youths and students to pay attention not only to any of those technology segments but also their overlapping variables such as hyper-connectivity, supercomputing, cybersecurity, and a smarter world such as robotics, 3D printing, and sensors – which are at the heart of the circular economy.

In recognition of the innovative minds of Nigeria’s huge youth population, Danbatta said the NCC had put all the ICT youth empowerment initiatives to support a digitally-skilled workforce that will fit into the Digital Economy Project of Nigeria. “The Commission is committed to fostering partnership and collaboration with the technology hubs and startups, to accelerate innovations and the creation of a digitally-skilled workforce for industrial growth and sustainable development of the nation,” the EVC said.

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Globacom Again Sponsors Ofala Festival 2023

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Globacom Sponsors Ofala Festival 2023

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has announced its readiness to sponsor the 2023 edition of Ofala Festival in furtherance of its support for the cultures and traditions of the Nigerian people.

At a press conference attended by senior palace chiefs and members of the Ofala Festival Organising Committee at the Ime Obi, Obi’s Palace, Onitsha, on Thursday, the digital solutions provider disclosed that its support for the yearly event drives by its faith in the nation’s huge cultural heritage and its potential to create employment as well as boost revenue generation.

 

Globacom Sponsors Ofala Festival 2023

Globacom noted: “We are committed to supporting efforts aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our country. This is why we have consistently supported prominent festivals such as Ofala and Ojude Oba over these years. We believe that these festivals if well promoted, will help boost Nigeria’s tourism industry as they will attract tourists who will be willing to come around to witness these festivals. Their presence will be a booster for hotels, restaurants, tour guides, art markets, and several other sectors whose trade will be in demand. Hundreds of thousands of jobs will also be created along the line.” The company referred to the Year 2020 data from the World Tourism Organization, saying that Nigeria is listed as 52nd on the list of top 55 tourism nations globally.

According to Globacom, “Interestingly, the Travel and Tourism market in Nigeria has been projected to grow by 6.13 percent between 2023 and 2027, resulting in a market volume of nearly US$4 in 2027. If we continue to focus on promoting the best of our values for the world, nothing stops Nigeria from moving up to the Top 10 Tourism greats among the comity of nations within the next few years”.

The Festival’s Strategic Marketing and Communication Committee Chairman, Mr.  Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, explained during the press conference that the Obi of Onitsha had approved the theme of this year’s Ofala Festival as “Better, Stronger and Together”. The theme emphasises the relevance of cooperation and unity in attaining societal goals and objectives.

The 2023 Ofala Festival is billed for Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, from October 14 to 15, 2023. It is a customary obligation performed by The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as a two-day celebration will comprise the Iru Ofala on October 14 and the Azu Ofala the next
day.

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MoneyMaster PSB Delights Glo Subscribers With G-Kala Airtime Promo  

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MoneyMaster PSB Delights Glo Subscribers With G-Kala Airtime Promo 

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

MoneyMaster PSB (MMPSB, a major payment service bank promoted by telecoms services company, Globacom, has unveiled a new promo in which Glo subscribers in the Lagos area who register and activate their own G-Kala wallets will be rewarded with cash gifts.

In a statement in Lagos, MoneyMaster PSB enjoined Glo subscribers across the Lagos area to make utmost use of the opportunity provided by the G-Kala airtime promo by registering and activating their wallets, which according to the Bank, will be used for various purchases and for winning in the offer.

MoneyMaster explained that “G-Kala wallet is the personal purse of the subscriber. Upon activation, it enables them to transfer money for purchases, buy airtime, pay bills, and pay for goods and services without having to log into any app or use the internet, adding that it is fast and reliable as it is backed by the power of the Globacom network. The wallet is also safe and convenient because it ensures that subscribers do not have to carry cash around”.

It urged them to dial *995# to create their own G-Kala wallets after which they join the first 100 customers to purchase a minimum of N100.00 airtime in winning a free gift of N100 daily, which will be sent to their G-Kala wallet within 24 hours.

“Existing G-Kala customers in and around Lagos are required to dial *995# on their Glo lines after which they will press 4 to buy airtime and join the first 100 customers every day to win the free N100”. MoneyMaster concluded.

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NCC Showcases Indigenous Telecom Achievements At NTICE 2023 Expo

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NCC Convenes Stakeholder Forum On December 5G Auction

By Moninuola Sulaiman

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to showcase achievements so far recorded in the promotion of indigenous content in the telecommunications sector at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023), which holds in Lagos from August 22-24, 2023, at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed: “Harnessing Indigenous Content for Economic Growth: Networking to Boost Investment”, the Commission said it is mobilizing stakeholders for a remarkable outing, following a very impressive showing at the maiden edition of the event last year.

The NTICE is being coordinated by the Commission’s Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), which superintends over efforts for effective implementation of the National Policy on the Promotion and Implementation of Indigenous Contents in the Telecommunications Sector, (NPPIC).

The Expo is open to multisectoral participants, including indigenous telecom operators, manufacturers, regulators, government agencies, policymakers, innovators, industry leaders, startups, other actors in the telecom ecosystem, academia, and global experts to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions and new technologies.

The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 empowers the NCC to encourage local and foreign investments in the Nigerian communications industry, introduce innovative services and practices as well as promote the participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control, and management of communications companies and development of communications manufacturing and supply sectors.

Therefore, NTICE 2023 is being organised in keeping with the extant provisions of the NCA 2003, and to promote the four focus areas of the NPPIC, which are Manufacturing, Service, People as well as Research and Development for innovation in line with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy.

The event has continued to serve as a rare assemblage of stakeholders where diverse thoughts can be shared in contexts that advance utilization of indigenous content in the nation’s telecommunications industry.

Participation at the event requires mandatory formal registration ahead of the day of the event and the Commission has created the link: www.ntice.ncc.gov.ng for this purpose, and intending participants are advised to register before August 22, 2023.

In an interaction with the NCC’s in-house media recently, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, reiterated that NTICE is Nigeria’s largest annual indigenous telecoms, tech and startups, manufacturing, and innovative event that brings to stakeholders the powerful connections and valuable new relationships that highlights the achievements and vast potentials of a tech-driven digital economy.

The 2023 Expo is billed to project the achievements of indigenous content by the government for the sector and afford participants the platform to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions, and new technologies.

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