Great Fortune For Nigerian Student From Etisalat

Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiare Atimomo (left) and Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra, Professor Godwin Onu (right), presenting a brand new car to winner of Cliqfest Raffle draw, National Diploma II Student of Science Laboratory, Mr. Enechukwu Jacob during the Etisalat Cliqfest held at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State            

Samsung Unveils Smartwatch to Power Galaxy Note Sales

REUTERS

SAMSUNG Electronics Co Ltd unveiled a smartwatch on Wednesday that works as an accessory to its market-leading Galaxy smartphone, with a small screen offering basic functions like photos, hands-free calls and instant messaging.

The world's top handset maker hopes the Galaxy Gear will boost the appeal of its range of Android-powered smartphones, as it battles to maintain supremacy in the rapidly saturating high-end mobile market against arch rival Apple Inc.

 Its launch, timed to coincide with the start of the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Berlin, also signals the South Korean giant is more than just a fast follower in innovation behind Apple, which is preparing to release a new iPhone next week but is yet to go public with any wearable devices.

"I believe it will become a new fashion icon in the world," said J.K. Shin, Samsung's co-chief executive and head of mobile business.

The market potential for wearable devices is significant. Leveraging advances in voice technology, biometrics, communications, cloud storage and power consumption, smartwatches and other wearable devices could be a $50 billion market by 2017, according to Credit Suisse.

The companion device will keep users constantly connected, Samsung Executive Vice President of Marketing Lee Young-hee said.

The smartwatch features a 1.63-inch (4.14-cm) screen as well as a basic camera, and will connect to Samsung's latest Galaxy Note 3 smartphone via wireless Bluetooth technology. It will make calls, display messages, record videos and snap photos, all while the user's phone stays in their pocket or handbag.

The success of Samsung's latest smartwatch - clunky earlier versions in 1999 and 2009 didn't go down well with consumers - will be measured as much in how it affects sales of high-end Galaxy smartphones as in sales of the device itself.

But it is also a shot across the bows of Apple and Google Inc, which are widely believed to be working on their own wrist-worn devices in what analysts expect to be the next phase of the mobile communications boom.

"We had smartwatch-type products before, but they were mainly for making phone calls. What's different with the Gear is it's got far more useful functions. It's usability has increased significantly and design is not bulky," Shin said.

The Gear, which will go on sale later this month for $299, doesn't have a flexible or curved display that some industry watchers had hoped to see on Samsung's newest products.

Instead, its OLED touch screen features half the picture quality of high-end smartphone displays and the camera nestling in the strap has only 1.9 megapixels - compared with a 13-megapixel rear camera on the Galaxy S4.

"People are really ready for flexible. Companies have shored up their technology development in flexible displays and it is really exciting, but the technology is not ready for the mass market because it is too expensive," said Sweta Dash, director Display Research and Strategy at IHS Electronics and Media.

The watch has up to 70 dedicated applications including some basic fitness apps such as a step-counting passometer, although Samsung hopes this number will grow as developers get on board.

Battery life, a key challenge for most wearable devices, has improved to over 27 hours under Samsung's normal-use tests.

Samsung's smartwatch will not be a game changer, CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood.

"Samsung will do a great job in raising the profile of this new category, but I don't think we will see a massive shift."

"I think it will only really come alive if Apple would push into it real hard because they would than make it a fashionable item. Because a watch is a fashion item. It really is."

Samsung also unveiled the latest version of the Galaxy Note phone-cum-tablet at its Galaxy unpacked event in Berlin, before the opening of IFA, Europe's biggest consumer electronics trade fair.

AFC Secures €50m Credit line From PROPARCO, EFP

The winner of N5 million in the ongoing Glo “Recharge to Stardom” promo, Stephen Kuti (middle), flanked from left by winners of N1 million in the promo, Adedapo Kolawole, Linus Udo, Tayo Attah and all other winners during the prize presentation ceremony held  in Lagos

THE Africa Finance Corporation (“AFC” or “the Corporation”) has secured a €50 million (Fifty Million Euros) credit line provided by the Society for the Promotion and Participation for Economic Cooperation (PROPARCO) with the participation of European Financing Partners S.A (EFP).  EFP S.A. is a private limited liability company, whose funding capacity is provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and by the following 12 European Development Finance Institutions : BIO (Belgium), CDC (United Kingdom), COFIDES (Spain), DEG (Germany), FINNFUND (Finland), FMO (the Netherlands), IFU (Denmark), NORFUND (Norway), OeEB (Austria), PROPARCO (France), Sifem (Switzerland) and SWEDFUND (Sweden).

 The PROPARCO- led line of credit has a tenor of 10 years and is a dual currency facility of Euros and US Dollars. The EFP tranche (€25 million) will be drawn in US Dollars and will be utilised to fund Nigeria and Anglophone Africa-based projects, while the PROPARCO tranche (€25 million and drawn in Euros), will support Euro-denominated investments with a focus on Francophone African countries.

 The announcement follows AFC’s recent agreement to secure a US$60 million (Sixty Million US Dollars) joint facility from the German Investment and Development Corporation (DEG) and Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO). These facilities form part of an on-going expansion of the AFC’s capacity to lend to value added infrastructure projects across the continent.

 AFC, a multilateral finance institution, was established in 2007 with an initial capital base of USD1 billion, to be a catalyst for private sector infrastructure investment across Africa. 

AFC was established to help fill a critical void in providing project structuring expertise and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs, and is increasingly being seen as the benchmark institution for private sector-led investment in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport and telecommunications.

Commenting on the lending facility, Andrew Alli President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AFC said “This facility is an important milestone for AFC and further enhances our ability to on-lend to infrastructure projects in Africa across diverse geographies and in a variety of currencies.

The completion of this facility is a strong endorsement of our approach to investment on the continent by leading multilateral financial institutions.

We are also very pleased to deepen our relationship with PROPARCO and the wider AFD group, as we jointly seek to expand our investment footprints across Africa, especially within the Francophone African countries.”

 Commenting, Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy CEO of PROPARCO said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with AFC. Following the successful completion of our due diligence process in November 2012, we went a step further to convert our initial discussion of bilateral funding into a club deal by bringing in members of the European Financing Partners (EFP) into the transaction.

“This partnership highlights PROPARCO’s strategy to finance investments that are economically viable, socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and financially profitable and we are delighted to be a partner to AFC.”

 AFC is an African-led international financial institution, established in 2007 whose mission is to improve African economies by proactively developing and financing infrastructure, industrial and financial assets.  AFC is involved as an investor, developer and financier of various infrastructure projects, and is gaining recognition as the benchmark institution for financing the development of infrastructure projects in Africa.

AFC’s current authorized share capital is US$2.0 billion with shareholders’ funds of US$1.2436 billion and a 2013 funding programme of US$700 million.

 To complement its shareholders funds and enhance its financing capacity, AFC has completed several other bilateral borrowings from other DFIs and international commercial banks including a landmark US$200 million funding facility from the African Development Bank.

To execute its mandate, AFC has established partnerships regionally, with other institutions such as the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, PTA Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Banque Quest Africaine de Developpement, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); and Internationally with the China Africa Fund, the Infrastructure Development Finance Company of India (IDFC), FMO and the US Government through USAID in the US Presidential “Power Africa Initiative”.

 AFC is the lead investor in the award winning Cabeolica project, a USD90 million, 26MW landmark renewable energy wind power project in Cape Verde. AFC is the Technical Adviser to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the CBN’s USD2.0 billion Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF).  AFC is a partner with Vigeo Holdings Limited and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited for the acquisition of power distribution assets, and a lead investor in the Kainji power generation plant in the current Nigerian Government power sector privatisation round.

Additionally in Nigeria, AFC made investments to support marginal field operators in the up and mid-stream oil and gas sector companies such as Neconde, FHN and Seven Energy. AFC is also the lead investor in Cenpower Generation Company Limited (Cenpower), which is implementing the Kpone IPP project – a 340 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Tema, Ghana. 

AFC is the lead investor in the Main One fibre optic cable project, enhancing West Africa’s connection to Europe and the rest of the world through faster and more technologically advanced broadband capacity. AFC provided a USD50 million convertible debt investment in ARM Cement Limited (ARM), the second largest cement operator in Kenya to support expansion initiatives across Eastern and Southern Africa including; development and construction of a lime plant in Tanzania and expansion of ARM’s cement capacity in Kenya.

The transaction marked AFC’s first bilateral investment in Kenya.  AFC provided financing for Ethiopian airlines fleet expansion in the acquisition of Africa’s first Boeing 777 airline. 

AFC also invested in the Bakwena toll road project in South Africa, and in the EURO 270 million Konan Bedie Toll Bridge in Côte d’Ivoire; the signature  Transport PPP project in Francophone Africa, underscoring its interest in investing in PPPs/PFIs in its focal sectors across the African continent. 

AFC launched a landmark USD15 million project development facility with the Dutch Development Bank FMO in January 2013, to fund early-stage equity investments in projects under development pre-financial close, in the infrastructure sector across sub-Saharan Africa.

PROPARCO is a Development Finance Institution jointly held by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and public and private shareholders from the North and South.

Its mission is to catalyze private investment in emerging and developing countries with the aim of supporting growth, sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). PROPARCO finances investments that are economically viable, socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and financially profitable. PROPARCO is one of the main bilateral development finance institutions in the world. It invests on four continents encompassing the major emerging countries and the poorest countries, particularly in Africa, and has a high level of requirements in terms of social and environmental responsibility. www.proparco.fr

 European Financing Partners S.A. (EFP) is an initiative created by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the following 12 European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) members: BIO (Belgium), CDC (UK), COFIDES (Spain), DEG (Germany), FINNFUND (Finland), FMO (The Netherlands), IFU (Denmark), NORFUND (Norway), OeEB (Austria), PROPARCO (France), SIFEM (Switzerland) and SWEDFUND (Sweden).

The aim of the initiative is promoting sustainable development of the private sector in African Carribean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and strengthening co-operation between eligible EDFIs and the EIB. The EIB is acting on behalf of the European Community from the investment facility resources, signed in Cotonou, Benin on 23 June 2000.

MTN Nigeria CEO Parleys Lagos Gov, Donates Security Vehicles

CHIEF Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ikpoki, has

expressed gratitude to the Lagos State government for its leading role

in the provision of critical infrastructure and support for the ICT

industry in the state.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the state governor, Mr. Ikpoki said

the government’s impressive implementation of its development agenda

has given Lagos residents renewed hope.

He reiterated MTN’s willingness to continue to partner with the state in its transformation drive.

“The development agenda of Lagos State ties in with MTN’s vision to

lead in the delivery of a bold new digital world. Therefore, we will

offer strong support in actualizing the dream by providing relevant

ICT services,” Ikpoki said.

Welcoming the MTN Team, His Excellency Governor Babatunde Fashola

acknowledged the company’s giant strides in the ICT sector and urged

them to continue to deliver services in a more efficient manner so as

ultimately enhance the livelihoods of all members of the community.

In his welcome address to the MTN delegation, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey,

the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Fund applauded

MTN’s contributions to the State Government in the area of security.

In his response,  Ikpoki noted that positive development can only be

achieved in a state of law and order, hence MTN’s decision to assist

the Lagos Security Trust Fund, (LSTF) with the provision of 25  patrol

vehicles.

According to Ikpoki, the initiative is in furtherance to MTN’s commitment to supporting the State Government in their efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property in Lagos State.

During the formal handing over ceremony of the patrol vehicles, His

Excellency Governor Babatunde Fashola expressed his appreciation to

 MTN for its voluntary show of concern for security in the state through the donation of security patrol vehicles through the MTN

Foundation.

He said the initiative would go a long way in helping the

state government fulfil its cardinal responsibility of securing the

lives and property of Lagosians.

“Government cannot handle the security challenge alone which is why

we are particularly pleased by this intervention and we are calling on

other corporate organizations  to emulate the gesture of MTN and

support government’s effort in providing adequate security for

residents of Lagos State as well as the entire country,” he noted.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worry, noted that ‘MTN

through its Foundation has donated approximately N600 Million to the

Lagos Security Trust Fund since the inception of the Fund till date.

MTN Nigeria is one of the leading contributors to the state’s security

project’.

It will be recalled that the MTN Foundation has invested over

N7billion in social projects in the areas of education, health and

economic empowerment in 338 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria

including the FCT, Abuja.

In this second phase of the MTNF-SSP, the Foundation has presented

security vehicles to Ondo with plans to donate vehicles to other

states around the country. Phase one of the project witnessed the

provision of fully kitted security vehicles to Anambra, Akwa Ibom,

Bauchi, Delta, Oyo, Ogun, Jigawa, Imo, Katsina, Kano, Plateau and

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Microsoft Clinches Top Employer Rating in Africa

 MICROSOFT has been certified for the second year running as one of Africa’s Top Employers in 2013/2014 for its operations in Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. This makes the company part of the CRF Institute’s Top Employers in Africa Index along with the first class of certified multinationals.

Economies across Africa are growing rapidly and opportunities are abundant, but attracting, retaining, and engaging top talent remains a challenge.

According to the CRF Institute, Microsoft has successfully demonstrated its excellence in the application of its Human Resources policies and practices across all of the countries where it operates, and this is the key criteria for certification.

Doing business in Africa does have similarities to other dynamic emerging markets where infrastructure and availability of technology can be limited. But Microsoft has a fundamental belief that no matter where it is in the world, the brand needs to stay consistent. 

This means, that what is available to employees in the US or Europe is available to employees in Africa.

“We strive to make our programs, processes and overall way of working with our employees first class,” says Cherise Mendoza, HR Lead in West East and Central Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.

Microsoft has been on the continent for over 20 years and sees enormous potential for growth, particularly within the ICT sector. And with more and more businesses starting up and expanding across Africa, the company’s aim is to bring products and services that meet their unique needs and help grow their organisations.

“As we grow on the continent, we work continuously with our 10 000 partners across Africa to ensure the best possible reach and impact. We are constantly adding to our team of dedicated people on the ground who truly understand the African economic and business environment, this is what makes the difference,” says Mendoza.

In February this year, Microsoft launched its multi-million dollar 4AAfrika initiative, a new effort through which the company will actively engage in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness. “This forms part of our vision to give more people and businesses in Africa access to technology at a more affordable price. To achieve this vision, we have made a significant investment in our talent pool, to allow us to enable businesses in Africa to realise their full potential through innovative technologies,” says Mendoza.

She adds that Microsoft as a global organization has been able to instill a culture of performance excellence in its employees. “We have big goals, dreams and aspirations, particularly for the African continent.”

Debonair Devices to Launch Bamboo D700 Tablets

DEBONAIR Devices Limited, a mobile phone solution provider company registered in the British Virgin Island, has concluded plans to launch its Bamboo D700 tablet into the Nigerian market. It is the first tablet computer built specifically for emerging markets.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company Mr Adebola Omololu, said Bamboo D700 is the product of a long-term research developed specifically to help provide solutions to some unique problems being faced by emerging markets.

Consumers in emerging markets, he stated, need real-time, on-demand access to content, the internet, computing and communication tools, and practical solutions to problems.

He said many of the tablets currently selling in Nigeria and other emerging markets are developed and targeted at western markets and lean towards the needs of western and established markets with prices ranging from $400 to over $5,000.

These tablets, he added, have little or nothing to offer the developing economies in terms of helping them to find solutions to the myriads of problems plaguing them saying that this propelled Debonair Devices Limited to conduct a research which led to the development of Bamboo D700.

“At Debonair, we recognized that tablets are developed to solve problems and started asking ourselves: how can we develop a tablet focused on the needs of emerging markets (such as Nigeria), with features that can match (or exceed) any luxury brand and at prices that appeal to the earning capacity of individuals in emerging markets?” Omololu said.

He stressed that: “Today, we’re pleased to announce the launch of the Bamboo D700 tablet computer. The first tablet computer built specifically for emerging markets.

Some of the unique problems in the emerging markets that the Bamboo D700 is out to tackle include: Growth of small & medium scale business, Youth unemployment, Female empowerment, Government: Security, Education, Agriculture and Local contents.

“In many emerging markets, there are challenges of steady electricity supply from the national grid. Based on this, we have developed the Bamboo tablet to run on the optimal combination of the right Computer Processing Unit (CPU) speed, memory size and battery type to provide the longest lasting tablet computer device on a single charge”, Omololu added.

He also pointed out that emerging markets have a large number of users who would adopt tablet computers as their first computer hardware device for both voice and data usages which may lead to confusion on data and voice plans.

To resolve this adoption challenge, the Bamboo D700 in his words, comes with dual-SIM slots so that users can use one SIM card for data plans and the second SIM-slot for voice calls at the same time.

On solution for high unemployment rate, the Bamboo D700 In partnership with Jobberman comes preloaded with career features that provide information on available jobs within a specific country and matches these jobs with potential candidates.

Omololu said that research carried out by Debonair Devices limited shows that the drivers of job creation are new businesses that typically hire 2 to 10 people at inception and as their businesses grow, they exponentially increase the number of new hires and by extension reduce unemployment.

“On the flip side for hirers” he stated, “the application allows SMEs to tap from a pool of resources of the best possible team that will take their businesses to the next level. In addition to this application, Debonair estimates that the launch of the Bamboo tablet computer today will lead to the direct and indirect engagement of 2,420 individuals over the next 12 months in Nigeria alone”. 

The Bamboo D700 is available at all Airtel shops nationwide comes with a free Airtel SIM card, 100MB of data, 20 Free SMS, & 20 minutes voice calls every month for 6 months.

Samsung Experience Stores go Live in Ibadan, Yaba

AS a demonstration of its commitment to ensuring that leading-edge, world-class mobile and personal computing devices remain accessible to Nigerians, Samsung Electronics West Africa, in partnership with accredited local partners has stepped up its nationwide market expansion drive in Nigeria, with the opening of two more direct-to-market stores in Lagos and a first in Ibadan.

 Dubbed Samsung Experience Stores, the retail outlets provide consumers with an exciting avenue to experience and interact with Samsung smart phones, tablets, IT Solutions, digital imaging devices, laptops and accessories to complement the product offering, in one easily-accessible location whilst showcasing Samsung’s technology leadership and enabling consumers to experience firsthand the power of sharing content across multiple products

 The Ibadan, Yaba and Surulere stores are the latest in the series of Experience Stores being rolled out all over Nigeria and bring the total number of such retail outlets in the country to 13, with 6 centres in Lagos alone.

 Prominent gadgets on display at the stores include the recently launched Galaxy S4 smartphone, Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Tab 3, all of which come with a 24-month warranty. The retail stores also boast a dedicated "Free level one service" which gives customers the opportunity to download and install applications and software upgrades.

 Speaking at the launch of the Ibadan store, Samsung’s Head of Sales for Hand Held Products, Mr. Olumide Ojo, said the Samsung Experience Store was developed primarily for Nigerians to explore and interact with Samsung hand held products like mobile phones, cameras and premium PCs.

 "The idea behind the Experience Store is to change a dull, retail shopping trip into an interactive, cheerful experience," said Ojo.  “It allows our consumers to discover what our products can do, and how they can derive optimal value from them to enrich their lives. “Our customers in Ibadan, Yaba and Surulere regions now have an ideal location to experience the premium Samsung product range including mobile phones, tablets, professional and digital cameras and laptops at their leisure.”

 He added that the company has earmarked several other locations in Nigeria as sites for more experience stores’ launch over the next three to four months.

 The opening of the new Experience Stores comes hot on the heels of the company's unveiling of premium products including the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0.

L-R; Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ikpoki; Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Athur-Worrey at the presentation of security vehicles by MTN to Lagos state government

Broadband Growth to Drive PC Penetration, Says CWG Boss

“IMPROVEMENT in fixed and wireless broadband services will boost the demand for personal computers (PCs) over the next few years, opening up a new window of opportunity for local equipment manufacturers”, Austin Okere, Group CEO, Computer Warehouse Group has said.

He stated that the Nigerian market for PCs is already growing rapidly, and the draft information communication technology (ICT) plan has projected a growth rate of 21.5 percent per year between 2009 and 2014, with a significant shift to laptop sales.

“The main driver for acquisition of computers by the broader population will be broadband penetration,” Okere said.

Speaking at the second meeting of the National Council on Communications Technology (NCCT) in Akure, Ondo State, recently, Omobola Johnson, minister of communications technology, said the Federal Government was working assiduously to promote the student computer ownership scheme in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

“We are continuing with various initiatives to connect schools to the internet. We are working on the Nigeria research and education network, which would connect universities to the internet and each other via fibre optic,” Johnson said, adding that there were also plans for the deployment of additional public access venues.

Concrete steps are being taken to remove bottlenecks hindering the speedy roll out of broadband infrastructure, the minister said, saying “we have collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Works to streamline and standardise the processes and pricing of Right-of-Way (ROW) on federal highways across the country.”

According to her, it has been adopted by the National Council of Works and is now applicable to state highways as well.

“The National Economic Council last month formally endorsed these guidelines and have also committed to streamlining and standardizing the levies that are charged on telecoms infrastructure,” the minister disclosed.

Swift Network Set Picks Volunteers to Test-Drive New LTE Network

L-R: Adekunle Adebiyi, MTN GM Sales; Mrs. B.O. Makinde, M.D. Appletree Nigeria, MTN Trade Partner; Omatsola Barrow, Sales & Distribution Executive, MTN; Richard Iweanoge, GM Business Development, MTN Nigeria and Adenike Odewunmi, MD, Golad Communications, MTN Trade Partner at the unveiling of the Fortune 100 Trade Partner (TP) programme, a dealer recognition/reward initiative.

NO fewer than 500 volunteers will test-drive Swift Networks’ brand new Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in preparation for its launch in Lagos, in the first instance, Nigeria’s leading provider of high speed broadband internet and data services to enterprise and consumer customers has announced.

 SWIFT has built the LTE network on the spectrum resources of the Direct On PC which it acquired recently, enabling it to overlay the ultra-fast LTE network over its current 4G WIMAX network to offer higher access speed to its current and future customers.

Wireless spectrum is a finite resource and LTE uses it more efficiently than other technologies, creating more space to carry data traffic and services and to deliver a better network experience.

It delivers at least 10 times faster download speed than 3G and 4 times that of WIMAX 4G networks.

“This will be Nigeria’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network; we will not rush this launch and will take every care to ensure that we get it right the first time. Getting the most aggressive users from our current customer base to test-drive it will enable us to debug and fine-tune it to meet the exerting demands of our target customer base”, said Mr. Chukwuma Okoye,  Chief Operating Officer of SWIFT.

“These volunteers who have been on our network for at least three years will give us feedback on the several performance metrics we are tracking including download and upload speeds, network latency and uptime. They will also ghost call the Call Centre as part of the predetermined performance indicators that are important to our market segment. These customers have been with us through our Pre-WiMAX and current 4G networks and bring along their treasured comparative memory of our services”, he said.

“We continue to see the demand for true broadband internet skyrocket in Nigeria and our 4G LTE network roll out starting from Lagos responds to what customers want from their broadband internet experience-faster and more reliable services backed by 24x7 customer care,” said Philip Sonibare, assistant general manager, Consumer Sales and Marketing at SWIFT Networks.

Phase3 Telecoms Hits $110m Broadband Investment Level

: L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor Lagos State on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga; Chairman, Lagos Research and Development Council (LRDC), Professor Olufemi Bamiro; and Director, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Professor Willie Siyanbola at the inaugural Sensitization Workshop of LRDC in Lagos…recently

PHASE3 Telecom, a Nigerian fiber optic network company, says it has so far invested $110 million to roll out broadband services to the underserved and unserved areas of the country.

Ajibade Momolosho, director of engineering, Phase3 Telecoms, says that between now and 2016, additional $68 million will be invested in broadband development by the company.

According to him, the telecoms company would be expanding its footprint in Africa by establishing presence in Accra and Senegal over the next 18 months. He also pointed out that the telecoms company has so far deployed 4500km of fibre optic network.

Reiterating its mandate, which is to be West Africa’s IP backbone, he maintained that Phase3 Telecom has contributed immensely to the development of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria in its ten years of existence.

“Five years ago, we didn’t have the kind of infrastructure in place, but Phase 3 provided the backbone at that time. It was a major contribution. We are crucial to the expansion of Nigeria’s mobile network.”

However, he opined that government needs to be more flexible with its policies to protect young companies. He admitted that the present ICT Minster, Omobola Johnson has achieved a lot in terms of reducing the cost of federal Right of Way and is currently working with states to key in to the programme.  The cost-of-right of way he disclosed forms about 50 percent of the cost of deployment.

With the reduction, he revealed it has enabled firms to do more in terms of corporate social responsibility. However, he noted that getting and renewing licenses was still cumbersome due to government bureaucracy which also needs to be worked on, not forgetting the issue of power.

Google splashes $25,000 on ‘Africa Connected’ Competition

FOR those who have been positively influenced by the internet, here’s a chance to share your web journey. Google is calling on entrepreneurs, creators, innovators and web-lovers in Nigeria and across Africa to share their stories of how the web has transformed their lives and work.  Whether you’re a photographer, an entrepreneur, a fashion designer or a community activist, if the internet and Google tools have played an important role in your success, Google wants to hear from you.

In the next five years, 7 out of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies are predicted to be in Africa, and the Internet is playing an important part in this.  Google’s new initiative, ‘Africa Connected: Success stories powered by the web’, aims to gather the largest collection of inspiring stories about ventures established online by Africans, in Africa.  Five successful entrants will win $25,000 each, and will also have the opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period.

“Google wants to hear from young, spirited entrepreneurial web adopters in Nigeria and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa who have a healthy disregard for the impossible and who are using the web and technology to do cool and extraordinary things to rise above their circumstances, change their world, and achieve success. We want to showcase the amazing achievements happening in the new Africa”, says Affiong Osuchukwu, Google Lead for the Africa Connected initiative.

Aspiring filmmaker, cinematographer and editor Amuwa Oluseyi Asurf is one such example. This Nigerian videographer has gone from spending nights in internet cafes, so that he could watch YouTube to teach himself how to edit films, to running a successful film and video production company in Lagos, where he employs 10 people. His company; Asurf Films is today courted by Nigerian celebrities such as Basket Mouth, Iyanya, Wizkid, Psquare and Bovi, to film their music/entertainment videos locally and internationally.

"My journey started with a passion to become a filmmaker. Unfortunately, even though I got admission to some good universities, I couldn't afford to go. Luckily I was introduced to the internet and to YouTube. I discovered I could learn everything I needed to know online. It feels great to have some of the top celebrities in Nigeria inviting me to their projects. This inspires me to want to become even better. I am still on the journey to becoming one of the top names in African filmmaking, and I know the internet will still continue to play an important role."

The owner and creator of Afrinolly, Chike Maduegbuna, based in Nigeria, is another online entrepreneur.  Afrinolly is a popular mobile app which lets people across the continent watch short videos on their mobile devices. This app has transformed Nigeria’s Nollywood film industry by creating a movie trailer platform for new audiences. With over 3 million downloads already since its launch in August 2011, Chike hopes this will create a platform that connects aspiring film professionals with global film industry veterans.

Nigerian judge and radio personality / fashion photographer Temilola Balogun commented, “The internet is truly helping to reshape the story of Africa, and Nigerians are some of those taking full advantage of its power. Whether you are in technology, agriculture, energy, fashion, education, or entertainment, if the web has transformed your life, and you believe your venture can be scaled up, then the judging panel is looking forward to hearing your story”.

Categories for entries include Education; Entertainment/Arts/Sports; Technology; Community and NGOs; and Small Businesses. 20 semi-finalists will be selected from initial entries to take part in an interview and to produce a short promotional video. A judging panel made up of Googlers and external judges will then determine the 10 finalists.  The 5 winners, in whose lives the web and Google have played a pivotal role,  will then be selected by the online voting public. Submissions are open from August 27, 2013 to October 11, 2013.  The competition will run until February 2014 when the winners will be announced.

Google’s media partners in Nigeria for the Africa Connected initiative include the Steam Broadcasting Group owners of Cool FM, Nigeria Info FM and Wazobia FM.

The Nigerian representative joining the Africa Connected judging panel is Cool FM radio personality and fashion photographer Temilola Balogun.

For more information and to enter the Africa Connected contest, visit www.africaconnected.com

The deadline for submissions is October 11, 2013. New to the web? Learn more about the web and Google through this platform, so that you too can do amazing things using the web as your springboard.

No Smoking Campaign Goes Online

NGO begins No Smoking Campaign Online

THE Tobacco Control Group, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has launched their official website as a way of controlling the intake of Tobacco through social media.

Project manager for the group, Olamide Egbayelo said the choice of Social media campaign is so as to capture the attention of youths who have taken to one social medium or the other for their daily interactions.

She said Tobacco ctrl will use medium such as the Twitter, Facebook, Games, 2go, and Google Plus amongst others would be used to launch campaigns against the intake of tobacco by youths.

"This campaign has been on in other platforms for a while. Now, the target is the youths and teenagers who can easily be involved in peer pressure. We are trying to catch them young. Most of them are online 7 days a week so, we are trying to use this platform to get them. Most of them read news via internet, hence we are trying to use what they like to get them." Egbayelo stated.

Spokesperson for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Hilda Ochefu said government should always consider health first before the revenue associated with the Tobacco companies.

According to her, the group is not against the selling of tobacco but should be restricted, "underaged and youths should not be caught buying or smoking Cigarette, we want a higher tax placed on these products so that they would not be affordable to minors, we also don't want them sold in attractive packs at public places.

In his submission, Head media, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Philip Jakpor said the federal government must sign the Bill that places restrictions on Tobacco smoking in Nigeria before the end of the year.

"On our part, we are getting youths together to sensitize them on the dangers attached to smoking, we are saying that producers of tobacco must not glamorise the packs and sellers must not sell single sticks." Jakpor stated.

According to the NGO, youths are to like their facebook page, follow @tobaccoctrl on twitter, or visit them on www.tobaccoctrl.ng  for full participation.

Etisalat Slashes Roaming Tariff for Customers

Etisalat Slashes Roaming Tariff
Fash growing and most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, has announced another amazing promo for its customers travelling for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia. According to the network, from September 1st to November 30th 2013, its new and existing customers travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy pilgrimage will have the opportunity to enjoy highly discounted rates on local calls in Saudi Arabia, calls to Nigeria, SMS and data services.
Disclosing this, Director, Business Segments, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada said the Etisalat Hajj Promo will give customers on the network great discounts on outgoing calls to Nigeria at N30 per minute, local calls within Saudi Arabia at N30 per minute and N20 per SMS, with a data package for as low as 1  kobo per KB for all pay as you go data plans. In addition, he said, all incoming calls and SMS received in the holy land during the promo period will be totally free of charge.
According to him, the promo which is in its fourth  year was designed to help customers stay in touch with their family, friends and business associates in several places across the globe including Saudi Arabia at a very low cost. “The Hajj Special enables customers to seamlessly and conveniently stay connected to family and friends while performing Hajj by providing heavily discounted rates on calls to Nigeria, local calls in Saudi, SMS and data services,” he said. Under the promo, customers can also conveniently travel with recharge cards as well as receive e-top up from family and friends in Nigeria.
In addition to the friendlier call tariffs, Lucas added, the Etisalat Hajj Promo also offers its prepaid customers data roaming internet bundle packages. “The prepaid hajj data bundles can be bought in Nigeria before proceeding for Hajj, or while in Saudi Arabia. However, usage of the  bundles will only commence when the customer arrives in Saudi Arabia and are valid for 30 days from the day of purchase,” Lucas explained.
Subscribers can text the codes *, *295*2# and *295*3# for 100 and 200MB, at  N1000 and N1500  respectively. Customers who want to subscribe for a larger amount of data will need to dial *295*4# for 500 MB and *295*5# for 1 GB at N3,000 and N5,000 respectively.
 Postpaid customers must visit an Etisalat experience centre to pay a security deposit and request for roaming services before embarking on their trip. To enjoy this offer both Prepaid and Postpaid customers must roam on the Mobily Network in Saudi Arabia.