Why Nigerians Are Poor, Obasanjo

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has told Nigerians to blame their leaders for the current level of poverty in the country.

The elder statesman said that the situation of poverty in Nigeria is not different from what obtains across Africa saying that leaders in Africa should be blamed for the increasing rate of poverty in the content.

Obasanjo who gave the remark at the launch of an educational toy company, Ethan and Harriet in Lagos said that God has not created anybody to be poor noting that if any nation is poor it is because of its leaders.

He said that Nigeria has everything it needs to be a great nation and as such God cannot be blamed for the poverty in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria can overcome the problem of poverty in the land if leaders tackles issues relating to education noting that the end to poverty is the proper education of the people.

He explained that education is not all about how to read  and write saying that the knowledge about the culture of ones country is also education.

He said one of the products of the company, which is a puzzle on the map of Nigeria will have help Nigerian students to know more about our culture, immediate environment and Nigeria’s heritages at large.

He said that parents can make use of it to know the history about the Federation noting,"Few days ago I returned from a trip and when people call me I do tell them the place I visited; you will be surprised some would ask: where is that. I was also on phone with the Governor of Taraba State and I shared the experience with him.

"He confirmed it saying that such is the problem with some people. Even when you tell some people you are from Taraba they do not know where such place it, let alone the capital."

He said further that the product will impact everybody; young, old, men and women, what they need to know about their country, each State and what they produce or what they are known for. It is a learning material for Children, teenagers, adults and teachers as well.

“It is also good for non-Nigerians who might be interested in knowing about Nigeria. It is a knowledge product. It is disappointing that our children do not know about States, the capitals and what they are noted for. We must understand that history is no longer thought in our schools. History is important to know your values, locality or products; so this product will make our children to know what matters about/to us and get prepared for tomorrow", he said.

Founder of the company, Mrs. Bunmi Williams who is a daughter of the former president said that the educational toy company was established to help solve a national problem, which she has spotted.

She said that there is a disconnect between many Africans and thier heritage and a lack of knowledge as it pertains to African history being passed on to children.

Williams said her company hope to bridge the gap by educating children through toys, which would in turn  impart knowledge about African history in an engaging and appealing manner.

While endorsing the product, former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke said that the product will go along in educating even adults in the country.

ntel Unveils Unique Promo, Delights Subscribers With Unlimited Data

 NatCom Development and Investment Company, NatCom, owners of the  ntel has unveiled a two for three data promo for customers who want to enjoy more data for less on its 4G/LTE Advanced network.

According to a statement, ntel is offering prospective customers who buy any of the 4G/VoLTE-enabled Tecno Camon C5 or Konka R2 devices the opportunity to enjoy three months data for the cost of two months.

The company said that subscribers who visit ntel outlets in Lagos and Abuja will enjoy superfast Internet access and make crystal clear HD calls on the device which also supports streaming, browsing, messaging and hotspot services without data caps or throttling.

The Konka R2 device which is just making its way into the Nigerian market is a steal with its Quad core Cortex A53, 1.3GHz processor, and ideal for subscribers who want a whole new experience with smartphones. It is also a great device for taking selfies on account of its wide 5.5 inches screen.

The silver-plated device offers users two micro-SIM slots, Android 5.1, 2gb RAM, 16gb ROM, back camera of 13mp and long battery life.

The smartphone also supports GSM, HSPA and LTE giving a wide range of options to consumers. With a battery life of 2700 mAh, users can spend longer time livestreaming on ntel’s unlimited data.

Speaking on the promo, ntel Chief Executive Officer, Kamar Abass, said ntel is determined to ensure that more Nigerians enjoy superfast internet at minimal cost.

 “ntel’s overarching aim is to enhance productivity by enabling broadband access to Nigerians and doing that entails price points that provide access without impoverishing subscribers. That is what this offer means and we will soon be extending our coverage and services to Port Harcourt to enable more Nigerians experience ntel’s HD voice and superfast internet services enabled over a 4G/LTE advanced network”, he said.

The Tecno Camon C5 offers subscribers a slim smartphone of 8.6 millimetres as well as a metallic-looking frame and phone jacket. The dual SIM device has a 1.3 GHz processor and with 1 GB RAM to enable users enjoy decent performance and responsiveness.

The smartphone also features a 5-inch touchscreen and HD resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. With both front and back cameras, users can share their picture and video experience on the go.

The device also supports a memory card slot of up to 32GB and has a battery life of 2500 mAh.

South African Companies Leave Nigeria

SUN International, with 49 percent stake in Federal Palace Hotel, says it is leaving Nigeria, owing to “challenging economic conditions and regulatory dispute”.

The hospitality and gaming company, which becomes the fourth major South African company to exit Nigeria in 2016, said the controversial detention of five of its staff by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spurred its decision to exit Nigeria.

“Continued setbacks in Nigeria as well as the ongoing shareholder dispute have frustrated all attempts to develop and improve the property,” the hotel said in its 12-month financial statement.

“Five of our staff members who were detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission earlier in the year have still not had their passports returned to them despite no charges being laid against the individuals, the company or Sun International.

“As a result of the current environment and issues facing the company the board has taken the decision to exit our investment in Nigeria.”

It said the exit “is however expected to be a protracted process given the challenges we are facing and to ensure we receive fair value for our investment”.

The company said it also recorded “an unrealised foreign exchange loss of $15.2 million or R207 million (R102 million attributed to Sun International) incurred on the group’s Nigerian subsidiary’s US dollar denominated shareholder loans”.

“The Federal Palace continues to operate in a difficult environment with the Nigerian economy facing a number of crises including the low oil price, Boko Haram and a weakening naira and it has still not recovered from the significant impact that the Ebola epidemic had on the business.

“Occupancy at 41.6% was 6.8% below last year with the average room rate up 3.8%. Despite all efforts to keep costs as low as possible EBITDA declined 58%.

“In addition to the problems that the country faces, there are a number of issues specific to the local Nigerian partners in the Federal Palace and these have further exacerbated the problem.

“After much consideration the Board has determined to exit Nigeria and steps will be taken to achieve this in a manner that does not erode further value.”

Truworths announced its exit from Nigeria back in February, due to the same issues, while Clover left about two weeks later.

Tiger Brands also sold off its stake in Nigeria-based Dangote Flour, following challenging economic environment in the second largest economy in Africa. 

THE CABLE

NITDA Host Tech Bloggers Ahead Of GiTEX 2016

AHEAD of the global technology event, which Nigeria is actively taking part on, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA hosted technology bloggers in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, which was the maiden meeting of the Acting Director-General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji with Lagos-based online media/bloggers community, the NITDA boss disclosed that there is the need to create an enabling environment for the multitude of technology start-ups in the country and turning Nigeria into a tech-hub in Africa.

He said that is the current focus of the new management of the NITDA in projecting the image of the country using the value in the new digital economy.

Olatunji said that NITDA is poised towards creating ‘ ICT based SMEs’ saying that it is a sure way of not only helping to diversify the economy but also creating youth employment that the Nation urgently needs.

“The way we live and we love and work have gone online, so there’s need for NITDA to build up capacity to sustain these online activities and ensure maximum benefits are derived from it”, he said.  

He said that Nigeria’s size, English language, and high rate of education as some of the key advantages potential investors in this new economy will be looking at.

According to the NITDA boss, the agency is using the annual GiTEX Technology show organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, (DWTC) to showcase the quality and potentials of local technology start-ups.

He said that NITDA is facilitating Nigeria’s participation at three levels including the Nigerian Pavilion, Nigerian Start-ups cobs inside the Innovation Hub, and the Gitex Africa Investment Forum being co-managed by the NITDA and the DWTC.

“All these levels of participation are designed to ensure maximum exposure to ICT and other non-oil sectors which is a cardinal economic goal of the current government under President Muhammadu Buhari. Dubai has become an international hub for business engagements. The NITDA has already opened talks with several business prospects through the support of the DWTC and the Consular Office in Dubai.

This is going to be the first time NITDA will be showcasing tech start-ups at the global show since Nigeria started participating in Gitex.

While making a pledge to always interact with online and conventional media on NITDA activities, the he promised to extend all aspects of media partnership with the Agency which includes training, empowerment and access to the online media community, describing them as “veritable agents of change in the digital age”.

FG Sets up Committee to Fast track ICT Development

TWO federal government agencies, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has set up a joint committee for the development of Information and Communication (ICT) in the country.

The committee is expected to design a framework for collaboration to optimise development efforts for the telecommunications and ICT in the country.
The decision to set up the committee was reached at an interactions between the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar  Garba Danbatta and the Acting Director-General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olagunju, when the NITDA boss and his top management team paid a courtesy visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja.

 Both executive agreed that a new era of inter-agency collaboration, especially within the sister ICT agencies would bring about desirable results, in line with global best practices.

The Joint committee, which is to be chaired by Dr. Agu Collins Agu, a director at NITDA, is expected to provide detailed areas ofcollaboration and terms of reference, which will be initiated by the two organisations in due course.

Commenting on the development, Danbatta said the initiative will prove to the world that sister agencies in our clime can work together in the interest of the nation, and charged the committee members to work assiduously to ensure that the objective of the collaboration is realized.

“We must concentrate on those things that we know that with the right investments and involvement of our  human capital resources, we would realize things that we can show the world about the giant strides that are being made in this country, especially in the area of Information and Communications Technology”, he said.

According to Danbatta, the agreement to collaborate is consistent with the mandates of the two entities to ensure pervasive penetration of ICTs noting, “But we have to be mindful of the fact that, the more you introduce services, the more your burden the infrastructure on ground. I hope that you (committee) will take cognizance of what you need to do to address the existing capacity of infrastructure.”

He added, “What we are looking at is the progress we are steadily making by the day to ensure we reach the destination of what we call a networked society, a society that is e-driven, a society that is ICT driven, as well as a society that will be relying on the power and leveraging on ICT to conduct all kinds of businesses.”

The NITDA boss, Olatunji, said that there should be no rivalry in the ways that the two organisations operate these days because it is all about  common vision and  common goals which are tied together for the future of our nation.

“The Information Technology sub-sector, and the telecom sector, already work together now in their operations.  If those of us at the helm of affairs that are driving the industry do not work together, we will not go far”, he said.
Olatunji said the disposition of the NCC head in arriving at setting up the committee has demonstrated the quality of leadership he has brought to bear in the sector. 

He listed a number of major events being hosted by NITDA in Nigeria, and in Dubai to which the NCC has accepted to support NITDA, and also participate fully with the development agency in line with the new direction in collaboration

Access Bank Upgrades its Digital Solution, PayWithCapture

AS part of efforst make its digital banking application fast, convenient and hassle-free, Access Bank Plc has refreshed the revolutionary lifestyle solution, PayWithCapture to a more illimitable version.

The latest version, PayWithCapture 5.0, which was unveiled by the bank at a colourful ceremony by the Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director of Access Bank Plc comes with additional features that enable customers to transfer funds from any bank account (one or more) to any bank account or phone number and email addresses.

He said that PayWithCapture 5.0 has also expanded to the web for users to experience the many benefits on larger screens saying that it also offers a USSD service *901# that allows users to carry out most of the listed functions without the need to access the internet, the bank added.


 “PayWithCapture 5.0 users can, still enjoy the success of QR code scanning for payments but with the added ability to make transfers to bank accounts, phone numbers and email addresses. Users can also set up a savings club through PayWithCapture. Savings Clubs, commonly known as Ajo or Esusu enable them save jointly with friends towards a common goal as the funds can be pooled and rotated among all members of the group or pooled and given to one person,” Wigwe added.

The Head of Digital Banking at Access Bank, Adeleke Adekoya explained: “We heard about the issues and complaints our customers had on the old app. With this new version, we’ve tried to resolve them all” According to him, the latest version has extended beyond simply scanning QR-Codes to pay for transactions to allowing customers experience banking in a way that feels as personal as they want it to be.”

Another key feature of the upgrade, according to Adekoya was the introduction of the PayWithCapture Titanium Card.

“Simply request for the card on PayWithCapture, then transfer funds from payment methods linked to your account and you can use your PayWithCapture debit card anywhere around the world you see the MasterCard sign,” he added.

Ndukwe, Stan-Ekeh Laud Arrival Of INNJOO’s Max 3

FORMER Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, Engr. Ernest Nduwke, Founder and Chairman of Zinox Technology, Chief Leo Stan-Ekeh has hailed the arrival of the INNJOO fingerprint smartphone into Nigeria.

The introduction of the fingerprint smartphone device called Max 3 was described by both IT experts as an evidence of how far the telecoms industry in the country has grown within a short time.

Ndukwe while launching the device revealed that at the inception of the licensing of the four major GSM companies in Nigeria, it never occur to the umpires of the take-off of the GSM revolution that it will have so much impact on the economy.

He said that today, there is hardly any Nigerian who can do without his mobile phone saying that device makers are now constantly looking for ways to outdo each other through the several innovations brought to bear on smartphones.

 The founder of Zinox Technology who own Technology Distribution, TD, described the INNJOO as makers of quality device that can stand the toughest of all condition saying that it was the quality of the INNJOO devices that made TD to accept to distribute the device in Nigeria.

He disclosed that he brought so many international brands like Apple, HP and Microsoft, which today has become leading brands in the country saying that the INNJOO brand will not be exception.

 President of INNJOO Mobile , Mr. Jack Lee

who flew into the country to launch the device o launched the device said that the fingerprint device is its latest brand is a high-specifications smartphone with an epic six inch High Definition (HD) screen with fingerprint technology  built around an all-metal body design and the first time applied 2.5D diamond-cut glass.

"Nigeria is the first African country where Max3 is launched and it is already generating huge excitement among tech savvy Nigerians who are anticipating the new offerings of the latest device. So, we are here to fulfil the desires of the people," he said.

He said that the Max 3 is a sleek and premium-looking device that would go a long way in meeting the needs and aspirations of millions of Nigerians in search of a high-powered mobile device at a cost that makes sense in line with current economic realities.

Apart from offering the user an unprecedentedly bigger screen to work with, The country Manager, InnJoo Mobile Mr. Rakesh Rocque, said that Max 3 comes fully equipped with a 4000mAh long-life battery designed in line with consideration of the power situation in the country to offer the user over 2 day-long normal usage and 19 hours phone call time with a single charge.

"With its rapid response quad core processor, the Max 3 offers the user 0.35 seconds lightning fast unlock speed, along with the guarantee of quicker upload and download of multimedia contents.

"Also, selfie lovers will find the Max 3 a more than useful tool with its high-powered dual cameras: 13MP at the back and 8MP in front which offers auto-focus, multiple modes and anti-shake properties, delivering best in class picture quality", he said.

Apart from offering the user an unprecedentedly bigger screen to work with, the Max 3 comes fully equipped with a 4000mAh long-life battery designed in line with consideration of the power situation in the country to offer the user over 2 day-long normal usage and 19 hours phone call time with a single charge.

With its rapid response quad core processor, the Max 3 offers the user 0.35 seconds lightning fast unlock speed, along with the guarantee of quicker upload and download of multimedia contents.

 According to him, the device offers selfie lovers more than useful tool with its high-powered dual cameras: 13MP at the back and 8MP in front which offers auto-focus, multiple modes and anti-shake properties, delivering best in class picture quality.

With its headquarters in Dubai and supplying in Shenzhen, InnJoo devices which include a wide range of high specifications and affordable smart phones, tablets and smart lifestyle devices, among others, have occupied an increasingly prominent share of the Nigerian mobile market, with consumers and end-users won over by their sleek design, smart features and state-of-the-art functionalities.