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NCC to establish center of excellence at Ahmadu Bello University

Ahmad Hussain
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NCC to establish center of excellence at Ahmadu Bello University

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given its approval for the establishment of a Center of Excellence at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. This initiative aims to significantly enhance capacity development in the telecommunications sector by providing training, upskilling, and reskilling opportunities.

In particular, this Center will play a crucial role in supporting the NCC’s mission to promote the production of locally made telecommunications equipment and materials for the sector’s advancement. The approval was conveyed through a letter signed by the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

According to a statement released by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwal Umar, the Center is expected to create a conducive research environment and conduct research activities that will generate policies and innovative solutions for both the telecom industry and regulatory bodies.

The Center’s responsibilities also include developing courses that address the knowledge gaps in critical ICT areas, including but not limited to Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Connectivity Technologies, Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Renewable Energy, and Next Generation Networks.

Furthermore, strong collaboration with the telecommunications sector is a key aspect of the Center’s activities to better understand the sector’s needs and conduct productive research and capacity-building endeavors.

The sustainability plan for the Center must be developed and submitted to the Commission as part of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) measurement. The terms for establishing the Center will adhere to professional, academic standards, and international best practices.

The offer also specifies that the Commission will actively contribute to setting the research agenda, approving the work program, and establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets in collaboration with the University and telecommunications companies operating in the country.

Danbatta extols Swedish government and Ericsson for impressive collaboration

Ahmad Hussain
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Danbatta extols Swedish government and Ericsson for impressive collaboration

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has expressed his appreciation for the consistent and enduring partnership between the Swedish Government and Ericsson. The partnership has primarily focused on capacity building and has significantly bolstered the NCC’s regulatory efforts.

Speaking at a workshop jointly organized by the NCC and its Swedish partners under the Swedish Programme for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Developing and Emerging Regions (SPIDER), Danbatta emphasized the substantial progress achieved by the NCC in the field of ICT.

He remarked, “This workshop signposts the vital role the Nigerian Communications Commission, as a regulator, has been playing in the West African sub-region. It also highlights the unending objective of keeping up with the times and ever-evolving dynamics of the telecommunications sector.”

Danbatta reiterated the Swedish Government and SPIDER’s steadfast dedication to promoting ICT development in emerging regions. He acknowledged their contributions to enhancing access to healthcare, education, income generation, and employment opportunities in West Africa, thus aiding in poverty reduction.

He noted, “This periodic strategic engagement under the auspices of SPIDER over the years has made the Commission a more effective regulator and enhanced it contribution to the development of the telecommunications sector. This contribution will further support the creation of an ecosystem that is beneficial to the economies and people of the region.”

In her address, Mrs. Annika Hahn, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasized the importance of ICT regulation and capacity building as key drivers of economic development and social progress. She applauded the NCC for hosting the event and fostering collaboration between the two nations. She also highlighted Sweden’s significant role in ICT, being the birthplace of Ericsson, one of the world’s oldest and largest ICT companies.

The ambassador emphasized the global technological revolution’s potential to catalyze industrial and economic development, stressing the need for modern and adaptable regulation in navigating this rapidly changing landscape.

Hahn further pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of ICT worldwide, leading to increased Internet usage across various sectors, including education, commerce, and financial services. E-learning platforms played a substantial role in this transformation.

Additionally, the Ambassador highlighted Ericsson’s report, which indicated more than 900 million registered mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022, with a significant portion in Nigeria. She emphasized the importance of education in driving growth and achieving the ambitious goal of over a billion mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2023. Collaboration in knowledge-sharing and upskilling of human resources among all stakeholders was deemed crucial to achieving this objective.

NNPP BoT suspends Kwankwaso

Ahmad Hussain
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NNPP BoT suspends Kwankwaso

The Board of Trustees (BoT) for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has imposed a suspension on Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s candidate in the February 25 presidential election, due to alleged activities that go against the party’s principles.

Additionally, the BoT has suspended the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and appointed new interim national officers, led by Dr. Agbo Major as the acting National Chairman and Mr. Ogini Olaposi as the acting National Secretary, alongside 18 others. The suspension is set to last for a duration of six months.

This decision was reached during a special general assembly held at Rockview Hotels in Apapa, where members of the party voted on the suspensions. The founder of the party, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and the National Publicity Secretary, Major, were also previously suspended by the NWC on August 24.

Babayo Muhammed Abdulahi, the Secretary of the BoT, addressed the media after the meeting and accused Kwankwaso of engaging in unauthorized interactions with individuals such as President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, and Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

Abdulahi declared that Kwankwaso’s status as the national leader of NNPP has been revoked by the board. He pointed out that Aniebonam had stepped down as the BoT chairman, leading to the election of Dr. Chief Tope Aluko as the new BoT Chairman, with Abdulahi now serving as the new BoT Secretary and High Chief Tony Obioha as the BoT spokesperson.

Abdulahi also noted that the actions of the NWC had nullified the pre-election Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Kwankwasiyya Movement, The National Movement (TNM), and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

The acting chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, emphasized that his team would work diligently to mend the divisions caused by the suspended NWC members. He affirmed the party’s commitment to being the most inclusive and people-centric political party in the country, encouraging displaced members to return to the party’s ranks.

The special general assembly meeting was attended by members from across the country, as well as the new NWC.

“I am under pressure to attack Niger” – Tinubu

Ahmad Hussain
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“I am under pressure to attack Niger” – Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing mounting pressure to deploy military force in Niger Republic, as he revealed yesterday during a meeting with influential Nigerian Muslim clerics.
He further emphasized that his commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution is influencing his approach to the matter in his capacity as the chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tinubu made these remarks during a meeting with prominent Islamic clerics (Ulama), led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“I am managing a very serious situation. Even as of this (yesterday) morning, I have been inundated with phone calls on the readiness of countries with their military force and contributions. However, I told them to wait. I am meeting with the Ulama and I will get back to you.”
“If you take ECOWAS aside, other people will react, those who are outside of our control. I am the one holding those sides back. I am the one holding back ECOWAS,” the President conveyed to the Ulama.
Tinubu authorised a group of Nigerian Muslim clerics to return to Niger in a last push for diplomatic solution.

“We are ready for Niger intervention” – ECOWAS defense chiefs

Ahmad Hussain
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“We are ready for Niger intervention” – ECOWAS defense chiefs

The ECOWAS standing force has expressed its readiness intervene in Niger Republic in order to restore democracy and reverse the unconstitutional military takeover.

This was stated during a meeting held in the Ghanaian capital of Accra on Thursday, where the Defence Chiefs of ECOWAS member states conveyed their preparedness to help reinstate civil rule in Niger.

They emphasised their commitment to democracy and its promotion, stating, “Democracy is our foundation, and it is our objective to foster and advocate for it” in their statement after the meeting.

All eyes are now on ECOWAS heads of state who could make the final call on whether to pursue military intervention or not. Earlier, the regional block said it is determined to pursue diplomacy while keeping all options on the table.

NCC to hold NTICE Expo in Lagos

Ahmad Hussain
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NCC to hold NTICE Expo in Lagos

After a successful inaugural event last year, the Nigerian Communications Commission is delighted to extend an invitation to the public for the 2023 Edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE).

The NTICE stands as Nigeria’s premier gathering dedicated to showcasing INDIGENOUS telecommunications, technology, startups, manufacturing, and innovation. This annual event is thoughtfully orchestrated by the Commission’s Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS).

Anticipated to surpass all expectations, this year’s edition is set to be exceptional. With an agenda designed to ignite inspiration and elevate indigenous technological advancements to the forefront of national progress, the NTICE 2023 promises a truly remarkable experience.

Scheduled as a three-day affair, the NTICE 2023 is slated to take place at the distinguished Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, spanning from the 22nd to the 24th of August 2023.

 

Alton chairman commends Danbatta for telecom industry success

Ahmad Hussain
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Alton chairman commends Danbatta for telecom industry success

Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has expressed admiration for the leadership of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Adebayo commended the NCC’s commitment to quality regulation and attributed the success of the telecom industry in Nigeria to the favorable regulatory environment provided.

During a meeting held at the NCC’s office in Lagos to discuss the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS) in the telecommunications industry, Adebayo praised Danbatta’s administrative skills, challenging the notion that engineers are not adept administrators. He described Danbatta as an excellent administrator and recognized his instrumental role in the growth and development of the industry.

Danbatta addressed the audience and shared insights into the ERAS project’s implementation. He highlighted the collaboration between the NCC and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), stating that the project follows a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement based on the DFDDOT model (Design, Finance, Develop, Deploy, Operate, and Transfer) recommended by the ICRC.

Danbatta acknowledged the NCC’s efforts in turning the ERAS project, conceived in 2007, into a reality. He emphasized that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s directive to enhance revenue collection and prevent leakages within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Through the deployment of the Revenue Assurance Solution, the NCC aims to optimize the revenue payable by licensed telecommunications service providers, thereby bolstering government revenue generation.

Originally focused on telecom operators, the ERAS project has undergone significant expansion. Following a presidential approval in June 2022, the NCC was directed to broaden the project’s scope to include the activities of Digital Economy stakeholders. Consequently, the project was renamed the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS).

Is special adviser on security same thing as national security adviser?

editor
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Is special adviser on security same thing as national security adviser?

Long rumoured to be the national security adviser-designate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was finally appointed as special adviser on security by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The nomenclature of Ribadu’s position is however generating some discussions in Nigeria’s social media space.

Is the special adviser on security the same thing as special adviser?

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)

The national security adviser is responsible for counselling the president on issues of national security. The National Security Act created 3 security agencies (DIA, NIA, and the SSS). The Act empowered the president to appoint a coordinator on national security (CoNS) who “shall be a principal staff officer in the office of the president and commander-in-chief,” according to section 4(2) of the Act.

Section 4(3) went further to define the role of the CoNS to include: advising the president on matters concerning intelligence activities of our intelligence agencies, making recommendation to the president on the activities of the create agencies, evaluating intelligence reports and properly disseminating such reports within the government, determining the number of staff to be employed by the created agencies, etc.

It is clear that the Act didn’t explicitly create the office of the national security adviser (ONSA), but created instead the role of the coordinator of national security. Later, Section 1 of the National Security Agencies Decree (Instrument No NSA 1) transferred the functions of the CoNS to the NSA.

Special Adviser on Security

On the other hand, the special adviser on security is simply an adviser on security who could advise the president on security matters and could be tasked to perform any related functions, but could not perform the functions of the coordinator of national security since such functions can only be performed by the NSA.

Therefore, special adviser on security is not the same thing as national security adviser, as the former cannot perform the functions of the latter.

This is similar to the case of special adviser economic affairs and the office of the chief economic adviser. They are two different roles.

 

 

 

Tinubu suspends EFCC chair Bawa over abuse of office allegations

Hussaini Jibrin
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Tinubu suspends EFCC chair Bawa over abuse of office allegations

President Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Abdurrasheed Bawa.

In a statement signed by the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, the suspension followed “weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.”

Mr. Bawa was directed to immediately handover to the director of operations at the commission.

Mr. Bawa was embroiled in controversies recently, with the most recent being the back-and-forth allegations between the EFCC and the immediate past governor of Zamfara State.

Mr. Bawa met with President Tinubu last week at the State House, where the new president reportedly instructed him to obtain presidential clearance before taking any major decision or action.

Mr. Bawa was appointed in February 2021 following the controversial dismissal of former chairman Ibrahim Magu, who was embroiled in a bitter power struggle with the then attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.

More details later.

Number of clusters without access to telecom services reduced by 53% – NCC

editor
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Number of clusters without access to telecom services reduced by 53% – NCC

In a sign of increasing telecom penetration, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has more than halved the number of clusters without access to telecom services in Nigeria in the past 10 years.

This revelation was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.

Prof. Danbatta, who was represented by the Commission’s Head of Pre-licensing, Usman Mala, made the revelations during an industry stakeholder forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Speaking further, he explained that the Commission identify access gaps according to cluster of communities without access to telecom services. According to him, the number of such clusters fell from 207 in 2013 to 97 in 2022, representing a 53% reduction.

He attributed that success to the deployment of necessary technology infrastructure.

“By 2019, we had succeeded in reducing the clusters of access gaps to 114 through the deployment of the necessary infrastructure needed to bring services to people living in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country.”

“By 2022, we have reduced the clusters of access gaps to 97 from 207 in 2013. The number of Nigerians again have come down from 37 million in 2013 to 27 million as we speak. We achieved this by deploying, from 2009 to 2011, a total of 79 new base transceiver stations.” Explained the NCC boss.

Prof. Danbatta expressed optimism that the remaining 97 clusters will soon be connected to telecom services through regulatory interventions like the issuance of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licences and the ongoing deployment of 5G networks, as the commission is determined to ensure the availability of quality and affordable telecom services to the doorstep of every Nigerian.

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