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Experts speak on importance of telecom services, products in an interdependent ecosystem at a summit

L-R: Soye West (Head of Operations Lagos and Ibadan) Huawei, Onyinyechi Ntuka (Specialist, Database Applications) Commercial IHS Nigeria, Michael Chukwuka Oduh (Associate Director, Field Control & Network Services) Technical Quality Management IHS Nigeria and Kayode A. Olaniyan (Senior Manager, Public Policy & External Relations) Corporate Services IHS Nigeria at WATISE 2023 Maiden Edition.half of Watise.

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The quest for a reliable telecommunications infrastructure for the players in West Africa’s industry to deliver essential services and products in an interdependent ecosystem was the focus of discussion at the maiden edition of the West Africa telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE).

The event, which has as its theme: ‘The Future of Infrastructure, Connectivity And Services: A New Interdependent Ecosystem of Partners’ was hosted by TechnologyMirror, an ICT and Telecoms news website with support from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and IHS Towers Nigeria.

In the lead presentation with the topic: ‘Telecoms Infrastructure Challenges: The Pains of Inter-Related Players of the Ecosystem and the Consumers’ Ques’t, Engr Spencer Itive, a telecoms engineer and Chief Executive Officer of RS Engineering Global Limited, harped on the need for Government in the region to pay close attention to the protection of telecoms infrastructure for the region’s digital economy quest to be achieved.

According to him, Government had been paying lip services to the declaration of telecom infrastructure as critical national stressing that the lack of commitment from the Government has led to a consistent attack on telecoms infrastructure across the country.

“We are yet to see the commitment of the government in protecting telecom infrastructure and this is why every community sees the deployment as a favour to the telecom operators,” he said.

Itive said a complex tapestry of partnerships now weaves together telecom companies, technology giants, governments, and a thriving ecosystem of startups noting that these partnerships would redefine the boundaries of what is possible in telecommunications.

On the future of infrastructure connectivity, he said all stakeholders in the telecoms sector had to understand that no single entity could meet the multifaceted demands of the digital age in isolation.

Speaking in the second presentation, with the topic: ‘Infrastructure Gap: Leveraging Connectivity and Technology to Transform Enterprise and Social-Economic Life in West Africa’, Rachael Orumor, Chief Executive Officer, Sens Orbit Nigeria said that over 20 million businesses across Africa use technology to interact with their clients and potential customers.

Orumor who is based in the Republic Benin, said that the factors that are driving digital transformation in West Africa is the increasing investment in infrastructure, growing awareness of the benefits of technology and a supportive regulatory environment.

While delivering her paper virtually, she noted that there was limited access to education, especially for people in rural areas, who do not have access to high-speed internet or reliable mobile service stressing the need for more attention for telecoms infrastructure in the region’s rural areas.

According to her, to leverage connectivity and technology to transform enterprise and socioeconomic life in West Africa, infrastructure investments must ensure the proper functioning of existing infrastructure while expanding telecommunications reach.

She said that lack reliable telecoms infrastructure reduces economic opportunities noting that many businesses now rely on online tools and platforms to operate, and workers who do not have access to these tools may be at a disadvantage.

During the panel discussion, Mr Mike Ofili, Chief Executive Officer of Coloplus, a tower infrastructure company, said that returns on investment in infrastructure could only be achieved in major cities where there were relative stability and a ready market.

He said the concentration of most telecoms infrastructure in major cities, was because of vandalism, insecurity, and high right-of-way (RoW) charges experienced across the country.

Ofili however, noted that RoW charges were also high in the major cities, especially, Lagos, but operators were able to sustain infrastructure deployment with higher returns from the state.

Speaking on the issues that prompted operators to slow down their expansion into rural areas, Ofili said most telcos had to pay so much to lay fibre cables.

“I can tell you that 90 per cent of the data centres in Nigeria are in Lagos and I don’t know how you want to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration in Nigeria with almost all the data centres in Lagos.

“It is very difficult to lay fibre cable across many communities in Nigeria, you cannot cross any community without paying different people”, he said.

”You cannot build towers without going through different communities of people demanding all kinds of things,” Ofili said.

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Ribadu will emerge as successor to Tinubu in 2031 – Primate Ayodele predicts

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National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu

Renowned Clergy and leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will succeed himself in 2027 after which the National Security Adviser, NSA Nuhu Ribadu would succeed him in 2031.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Sun newspaper, Ayodele forecasted that Ribadu would take over after Tinubu completes his second term in office.

“After Tinubu, Nuhu Ribadu will take over,” the cleric declared. He further asserted that the majority of governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would abandon their party’s presidential candidate and work for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“The majority of these PDP governors are not going to be with their presidential candidate,” he said.

Turning to political developments in various states, Ayodele predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not win in Anambra State in the this year’s governorship election, emphasising the continued popularity of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

“APC will lose Anambra State because the people will still vote for (Prof Chukwuma) Soludo,” he stated.

He also issued a warning to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, advising him to pray against another scandal that could rock his office. On former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Ayodele said, “Ambode will re-launch his political career if he prays very well.”

In matters of national security, Primate Ayodele advised President Tinubu to overhaul his security apparatus, alleging that it has been compromised. He raised an alarm about foreign military activity on Nigeria’s waters.

“American submarines are on Nigeria’s water. What they are doing there I cannot say. Nigeria must be on the alert because their presence is not in Nigeria’s interest, ”he warned. “The President should be very careful about Donald Trump’s government. Nigeria’s security agencies should carry out discreet investigations on this and be watchful.”

Ayodele further cautioned Vice President Kashim Shettima to tread carefully to avoid being removed during Tinubu’s second term. He also advised the wife of the Imo State governor to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to a possible kidnapping.

He predicted turbulence in the Nigeria Police Force, foreseeing the removal of the current Inspector General of Police.

Addressing the ongoing alignments among opposition politicians, Ayodele urged Nigerians not to be misled, warning that supporting figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammed, and Seyi Makinde would worsen the country’s situation.

“Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammed, Seyi Makinde will make things more difficult for Nigerians, even worse than what Nigerians are going through under Tinubu now,” he warned. “Voting for any of these politicians in the next election will be more disastrous. Nigerians must never contemplate the choice of any of these politicians. Rather, they should stick with Tinubu.”

Primate Ayodele concluded by urging patience among citizens, expressing optimism that Tinubu’s second term would bring improvements.

“Tinubu’s second term will be better than his first term. The same Tinubu that has taken Nigeria to where it is now will also bring the nation out of its current situation in its second term. Nigerians should exercise patience,” he said.

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Gov Ododo’s inclusive style of governance lauded as exemplary — Spokesman

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Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s ability to bring governance closer to the people of Kogi State has been described as exemplary.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismaila Isah, stated this while appearing as a guest on Nigeria Info FM in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said Governor Ododo’s humane approach to governance has endeared him to many in the state.

According to Isah, Governor Ododo has earned widespread commendation for consistently running an inclusive administration, where women play key roles and young people occupy more than 80 percent of appointive positions within the government.

He credited the rancour-free political climate in Kogi State to Governor Ododo’s respect for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

“He consulted widely even before he was sworn in as Governor. He met and engaged with all our former governors and political leaders regardless of their political leanings. He also reached out to community leaders and captains of industry, traveling far and wide across the country to inform them that his administration would be for everyone. Through this, he earned the support of most stakeholders, including those outside his political party.

“Upon assuming office, he has sustained that tradition of inclusivity, reaching out even to members of the opposition. Opposition members are carried along in policy formulation, which is why we have not witnessed the usual tension and rancour,” he said.

Speaking on Governor Ododo’s achievements over the past 14 months, Isah emphasized that the administration has kept faith with its campaign promises.

He explained that Governor Ododo campaigned on four cardinal agenda items: human capital development (focusing on health and education), investment in agriculture and food security, security of lives and property, and infrastructure development.

“Kogi has faced insecurity challenges due to its proximity to nine neighbouring states and the FCT, leading to an influx of criminals. However, the state government has been proactive, working actively to clear them from our environment through collaboration with neighbouring states and the FCT,” he said.

Isah noted that the administration has made infrastructures a priority to avoid the trend of abandoned projects seen in past administrations.

“We have ensured the completion of key road and infrastructural projects initiated by the immediate past government. In Lokoja, for instance, two critical road projects have been completed: the Zone 8 through Barracks, Zango to GYB Junction road (about 9 kilometers), and the Zone 8 to Crusher road (about 5.5 kilometers). Both were commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima during Governor Ododo’s first anniversary in office.

“Apart from these, the government is pursuing an ambitious plan to link rural and farming communities with markets by constructing over 200 kilometers of roads, some in partnership with donor agencies like the World Bank. New projects are also being initiated alongside the completion of inherited ones,” he said.

Isah added that township road projects are ongoing across all 21 local government areas in the state, with some already completed and awaiting commissioning.

“Just a few weeks ago, the Governor was in Yagba East and Yagba West, particularly Egbe, where the township road project has been completed and will soon be commissioned. Similar projects are ongoing across all three senatorial districts,” he added.

Isah further stressed the administration’s commitment to education infrastructure.

“At the twilight of the last administration, two universities — the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and Kogi State University, Kabba were delivered within three years. Upon taking office, Governor Ododo ensured the continued development of these institutions. Over N10 billion has been expended at KSU Kabba alone, with significant progress made in securing accreditation for most courses,” he said.

On security, Isah highlighted the government’s zero tolerance for crime and consistent efforts to strengthen security architecture.

“We have re-jigged our security system, recruited over 2,000 local hunters and expanded the vigilante ranks across the 21 LGAs. We have also provided vehicles, motorcycles, night vision goggles, and other logistics. The community-based approach to security is being sustained,” he said.

Furthermore, the Special Adviser said Governor Ododo is passionate about improving healthcare infrastructure to ensure affordable and accessible services.

“We are revitalizing over 200 primary healthcare centres across the state, with nearly half ready for commissioning,” he stated

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