Adenuga Promises Transformed Data Services Across West Africa

*Adenuga

Globacom has indicated that more West Africans will enjoy fast data services and better voice quality as the network continues to extend its fibre optic coverage and pushes the last mile connections of its submarine cable further hinterland in the countries where the Glo 1 cable has landings.

At the 2013 edition of the Glo CAF Awards held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos recently, Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga jr. said that the company has made arrangements to deploy the best telecommunications technology to sustain a robust network that will continuously offer customers world-class mobile and data services. 

He said subscribers in the West African sub region through the Glo 1 armoured submarine cable and roaming facilities are guaranteed seamless communications in Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world. 

“We want to assure you that we will continue to invest huge resources in developing and maintaining a communications technology that is second to none in Africa, just as we will not relent in our vision to support African football in the global football space.” 

It could be recalled that Globacom’s intervention in the telecommunications sector in Africa has deepened broadband penetration and telecommunications infrastructure, putting affordable voice and data communications at the fingertips of millions who otherwise would not have had quality connections.

Airtel CEO Counsels Leaders on Sustenance of Development

*Segun Ogunsanya

Leaders and people in positions of authority have been urged to strive at discovering, nurturing and developing talents in order to sustain development and growth in Nigeria as well as other African countries,

Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Segun Ogunsanya, during the weekend in Lagos, gave this advice at the monthly Role Model Forum of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), where in his role as guest speaker, he shared his life story and experience with some young people who were participants at the event.

According to him, “If Nigeria and other countries in Africa are to develop; we must start developing our people. For development to be sustainable we must develop African talents. Leaders are created and those who are leaders today must create the next leaders.”

He shared some of his nuggets of success with the young men and women at the forum, saying they must focus on goals they desire to achieve and watch against being arrogant because there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance.

Speaking further, Ogunsanya inspired the young audience to be prepared and not miss any opportunity to shine in their career. He encouraged them to always ensure they are prepared for opportunities that may come their way.

As a piece of advice to some of the participants who are employees, the Airtel boss urged them to be result-oriented because employers reward results not efforts.

“So, be focused on what is truly measured, the result. That is the only thing that will guarantee you success. Mark my words: nobody pays for efforts any more. Efforts are important but you are only and truly rewarded for the results you put on the table when you get to certain levels. Of course we talk about values, they are as important as producing results. When you have values just make sure the values lead to the results. The results are the only true measurement of your success,” Ogunsanya said.

The CVL Role Model Forum is a monthly interactive programme where individuals who have excelled in various field of endeavour share their life experiences and stories with participants in order to impart values, leadership qualities and motivate them towards becoming great leaders.

Nokia Lumia 1020 Pre-order Promotion Announced

L-R: Chris Brown; Kelechi Amadi-Obi; Timi Dakolo; Fola Akinboro; Deborah Shepard & Layi Onafowokan at the event....

Global phone manufacturer, Nokia in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria and Etihad Airways, has announced a pre-order promo for its latest Windows smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 1020 which will be available in Nigeria as from October 2013.

A statement by the device manufacturing firm stated that the pre-order promotion announced at the TEDxLagos conference will take place from 10:20am of the 1^st of October 2013 to the 15^th of October 2013.

Nokia West Africa, General Manager, Chris Brown said the pre-order promo will give customers the opportunity to purchase the device online before it finally arrives in Nigeria in October.

Brown added that all customers who pre-order and pay for the device from Etisalat's website will be entitled to special discounts on airfares to several destinations on Etihad Airways.

According to Brown, “The Lumia 1020 is an improved version of the Nokia 808 smartphone launched in 2012. The Nokia Lumia 1020, running on Windows 8 operating system is the ultimate camera phone. It boasts a whopping 41-megapixel camera sensor combined with a Xenon flash, focus

Nokia Announced as Platinum Sponsor of DEMO Africa

Nokia has confirmed its participation and support once again as the platinum sponsor for this year’s DEMO Africa to be hosted in Nairobi in October, according to a release by the device manufacturers.

The newest addition to DEMO's Global Launch Program, DEMO Africa in its second year will provide the most innovative new and established companies from across Africa the opportunity to launch their products on stage at this high profile event.

“Nokia has a long and rich history on the African continent,” says Nick Imudia, managing director for Nokia West Africa. “Our core strength comes from our local presence, deep consumer understanding and the ability to ignite and enable the local innovation ecosystem. DEMO Africa is the perfect showcase for this innovation, and we are extremely proud of our association with this flagship event and with our ongoing support for local developers”.

Forty of Africa’s most innovative technology products will be launched at Demo Africa, including six from West Africa. Nigeria boasts four finalists: ChopUP from Bayo Puddicombe is a social platform that connects mobile device gamers across Africa and allows them to interact based on in-game achievements

SIM Box Fraud: Glo Ghana Given Ultimatum

*Dr. Mike Adenuga, Globacom chairman

Glo Ghana has been given a two-week ultimatum by the National Communications Authority to address or bring to book the perpetrators of its international SIM box fraud, according to latest reports by Biztechafrica.

Biztechafrica is reporting from Accra that the NCA warned that it would be forced to identify all these fraudsters and block all the numbers should Glo fail to comply with its directive.

It could be recalled that on the 23 of September this year, the National Communications Authority (NCA) said Glo Mobile Network was increasingly being used for international SIM box fraud in Ghana. Statistics from the NCA indicate that there has been a dramatic increase in fraudulent SIMs, from around 2,500 in January, 2013, to nearly 30,000 in August, 2013.

This has put Glo in the lead with the highest number of fraudulent bypass activities, terminating international call traffic on other mobile operators’ platforms, thereby causing huge financial

Ailing Blackberry Agrees to go Private in a $4.7B Deal

Smartphone maker BlackBerry has agreed to go private in a $4.7 billion deal led by its biggest shareholder, allowing the on-the-go email pioneer to regroup away from public scrutiny after years of falling fortunes and slumping market share, according to reports by Reuters.

The $9 a share tentative offer, from a consortium led by property and casualty insurer Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd, will set a floor for any counteroffers that might emerge for Blackberry, which has been on the block since August.

As an investor, Fairfax Chief Executive Prem Watsa is often described as the Canadian Warren Buffett because he also takes the long view.

Blackberry shares peaked above $148 in June 2008 when the company's devices were still the top choice for bankers, politicians and lawyers.

The stock, halted pending the announcement on Monday, closed below the offer price

Ekeh, Zinox Boss Calls For Another Look At Nigeria’s National Education Policy

L-R: Adesuwa Igho Orere, ED, Task Systems, Emomine Mukoro, 

MD-Buyright Africa Dotcom, Prof. David Adewunmi, President NCS, 

Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman Zinox Group, Stanley Okpaleke, MD,Task Systems, 

Emmanuel Onyeje, COO,  Zinox Group, & Funke Oduntan, ED, Task Systems 

Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh has warned that unless the Nigerian nation makes critical decisions that will bring about a break from the analogue past where all photography were still and in black and white, it may not be able to explore the opportunities offered by the digital era to excel as a nation.

According to Ekeh, “Nigeria today finds herself in times that are as difficult as 1969, the peak of the civil war, when nationalists and stakeholders in education came together in a bid to salvage the ship of state from the vicious grip of ethnicity, religious bigotry and corruption.

“The situation has been compounded by kidnapping, terrorism, our inability to fund education, and the inability of Nigerian graduates to fit into existing vacancies in the industry. There is a need for another look at the national policy on education by people compliant with 21st Century technology.”

Ekeh who was speaking during a courtesy visit by the new executive of the Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, led by Prof. David Adewunmi, noted that the new NCS President was assuming office at the right time, and urged him to focus on restructuring the country’s education sector, using the tools of information technology.

The Zinox boss further explained that with technology, the objectives of teaching and learning can be achieved at a lower cost with more competitive outcome, adding that electronic