Ict/Telecom

NITDA Begins ICT Training For PLWD In Enugu

Published

4 years ago

March 3, 2021

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), yesterday said it is consolidating on digital inclusion and has commenced the ICT training for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) in Enugu State.
The five-day programme which started on Monday, had its theme as “Training in IT and Entrepreneurship”, and is aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship skills,creating desired social and economic out comes by facilitating innovative, technology-driven economic growth among PLWD.
MrKashifuInuwa, Director-General (D-G) of NITDA, represented by Dr Collins Agu, Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, said training PLWD in ICT skills is important so they could be at par with technology trends.
Inuwa said that the training, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) and implemented by NITDA, is to empower PLWD through investments in ICT infrastructure, policies and solutions with the aim of enabling them live productive lives as well as give them a sense of inclusion in the IT ecosystem.
“We are training people with disabilities to build their capacities, make them employable and self-reliant in order to have effective economic independence in pursing their livelihoods.
“The training will boost participants’ digital literacy and proficiency so as will efficiently participate in the fast-growing digital economy and entrepreneur ecosystem,” he said.
He further said that the programme is in line with the vision of the Federal government, which is to empower the entire citizenry with Information Technologies through the development of a critical mass of IT proficient and globally-competitive manpower.
He expressed delight at the theme of the programme, saying it signifies the need to leverage on entrepreneurial technologies and job creation, especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.
The D-G recalled that the FMCDE’s roadmap pledges to leave no one behind, adding that it is critical to ensure the full and equitable participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of the society, particularly in the ICT ecosystem.
He said the NITDA had, through the initiative, trained over 175 persons across the country, thereby creating over 1,000 jobs in a train-the-trainer approach.
Inuwa said that over time, PLWD experienced discrimination in the society which consequently had effects on their social and economic dispositions.
He, however, promised that the training programme will potentially make significant improvements in their lives.
“It will, no doubt, give them opportunities to enhance their social, cultural, political and economic integration in the society while expanding the scope of opportunities available to them.”

Ict/Telecom

Technology, Others Responsible For Nigeria’s Bonga Oil Operations

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, said Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water asset, has recorded major milestones, due to effective leadership, cutting-edge technology, continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders.
She noted that since coming on stream in November 2005, Bonga has maintained a track record of production that saw it achieve one-billion-barrel export on February 13, last year.
In her presentation, titled “The Bonga Journey to a Billion Barrels”, at the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, United States, Aiboni, said: “SNEPCo is grateful for the contributions of all the parties to the Bonga story and we can all be proud of the milestones.
“Bonga has been consistent. In 2014, nine years after coming onstream, it achieved half a billion barrels of crude and doubled it in 2023. We have worked relentlessly to ensure excellent asset management, project and wells delivery and deployment of technology and innovations in our operations”.
According to her, these factors, “coupled with the supportive partnership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and our co-venturers – TotalEnergies, EP Nigeria Limited; Nigerian Agip Exploration; and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, make Bonga stand out as a world-class investment case”.
She continued that, “SNEPCo also enjoyed the support of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the success of Bonga operations”.
Aiboni also listed the challenges of keeping the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel full as the asset ages and dealing with unexpected developments with subsea wells and equipment.
She said: “SNEPCo responded with a campaign of operational excellence, which among other initiatives, led to the creation of a programme known as the Bonga Business Improvement Plan that continually reviews and identifies improvement initiatives and drives sustainability in operations and upskilling of staff.
“The Bonga success story has been led by Nigerians who have been managing directors of SNEPCo since it was established in 1993, in a deliberate policy by Shell to develop indigenous manpower for deep-water operations in Nigeria.
“Today, some 97percent of the SNEPCo workforce is Nigerian and overall, Bonga has helped to create a new generation of Nigerian deep-water professionals.
“Our vision at SNEPCo remains to be the best deep-water business, powering growth and achieving net zero emissions in line with Shell’s Powering Progress strategy”.

Ict/Telecom

Banks Cut Borrowing From CBN By 44%

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

Banks’ borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fell month-on-month, (MoM) by 44 percent to N12.16 trillion in April from N21.7 trillion in March.
Analysis of latest data from the CBN shows that the 44percent drop represents the first MoM decline in banks borrowing from since January when it increased by 268.7 percent to N3.6 trillion from N976.29 billion in December 2023.
However, further analysis showed that banks’ deposits in the CBN SDF grew MoM by 118.4 percent to N428.97 billion in April from N196.37 billion in March 2024.
Banks make use of the SLF to access liquidity to run their day-to-day business operations while the Standing Deposit Facility window (SDF) on the other hand, is an overnight deposit facility that allows banks to lodge excess liquidity (money) with the CBN and earn interest.
The decline in banks’ borrowing from SLF may reflect an increase in banking system liquidity and also the decision of the apex bank last year to remove the limit on the remunerable daily placements by banks at the SDF.
According to the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN removed the cap on the remunerable SDF to increase activity in the SDF window and manage liquidity.

Ict/Telecom

Expert Highlights Technology Impact On Fintech Industry Growth

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

A Financial technology expert, Olatunji Akinrinola, has highlighted the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, which according to him, was driven by technological advancements.
Akinrinola made this assertion in a press release recently, where he stressed that the role of technology in driving this exponential growth in the FinTech sector was very outstanding.
According to him, Technology has revolutionised the way financial services are delivered, making them more accessible, efficient, and inclusive.
“Through innovations such as mobile banking, digital payments, and blockchain technology, FinTech companies have been able to reach a larger population and provided them with access to financial services”, he stated.
Akinrinola emphasised the role of technology in enabling financial inclusion, adding: “Technology has democratised access to financial services, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
“Mobile money platforms and digital wallets have empowered individuals to conduct financial transactions conveniently and securely, without the need for traditional banking services”.
He also underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in driving innovation within the FinTech industry, noting: “AI-powered algorithms and predictive analytics have revolutionised risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer personalisation in financial services.
“These technologies enable FinTech companies to provide tailored solutions and mitigate risks more effectively, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience”.
Akinrinola stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks in fostering the growth of the FinTech industry.
“While technology has accelerated the growth of FinTech, it is essential to establish robust regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer protection and maintain market stability. Regulators play a crucial role in balancing innovation with risk management, thereby creating a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the FinTech sector”, he stated.
Akinrinola underscored the role of technology in driving the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, saying, “Technology has been a game-changer for the FinTech sector, enabling innovation, expanding access to financial services, and driving economic growth.
“As technology continues to evolve, the FinTech industry will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of financial services ecosystem”.

Corlins Walter