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DG Urges Open Source Software

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), says Nigerians need open source software if the the country must be a full participant in the software industry.

Prof. Cleopas Angaye, the Director-General of NITDA, made the observation at the opening ceremony of the African Conference on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and the Digital Commons (Idlilo-5) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The conference, with the theme “Open Source Solutions for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals’’, was organised by the Free Software and Open Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA), in collaboration with Open Source Foundation for Nigeria.

Angaye said the citizens needed to understand open software that allow people to develop their own software or search for basic programming short-code, as well as modify and redistribute it for national development.

“This is critical as we seek, as a nation, to be less dependent on oil, position our youth in the global economy and prove to the world that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the great country of good people.

“In a country that has over 150 million, the potential of open source solution in achieving the Millennium Development Goals is huge, the manpower is present, and the infrastructure is beginning to be put in place.

“We are convinced that in the next few years, Nigeria will become a trail blazer in the production, use and promotion of open source software,’’ he said.

The Director-General stressed that NITDA was putting emphasis on the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for education by implementing equipment and tools in teaching and learning process.

“It is our policy not only to use ICT in education, but also wealth creation, poverty eradication and global competitiveness. We seek to empower Nigerians. We work to encourage local production.

“We want to establish and develop IT infrastructure and maximise its use nationwide. We have decided to empower the youth with it skills and equip Nigerians to participate in the software and IT development,’’ Angaye added.

He added that the NITDA is also working on ICT programmes that would help the nation to reduce the rate of poverty and boos the development of the country.

The programmes according to him include the establishment of rural information technology centres, Innovation and Incubation Centres, Software development Centres and IT Parks across the federation.

Angaye urged all participants at the conference to use the golden opportunities offered at the conference to participate in the practical programming course on open source software.

He also encouraged organisers of the programme not to make the training only one-week event, but to schedule them on a regular basis across the federation.

Also speaking at the occasion, Mrs Nnenna Nwakanma, the FOSSFA Council’s Chair Person, said the conference was to build human capacity using ICT, saying human capacity building is the only way African continent could be developed.

Nwakanma also urged African countries to give legal backing to FOSSFA in order for the association to participate and contribute its quota to their development.

“We have challenges as an organisation, the first change we need to talk about as Africans is that many of our countries do not even have the framework for recognising an African organisation, we only recognise local NGOs.

“We are no longer in a nationalised world; we are in a globalised world. We need to begin to think about how African organisations can live legally and fulfil their mission,’’ she said

Mr Ibrahim Dikko, the Managing Director, Broadband Connectivity Nigeria (BCN), disclosed that the organisation was currently upgrading its optical fibre network to gigabyte passive optic network.

Dikko also disclosed that BCN was expanding and deploying new metropolitan and long distance networks across the country for easy access to its Internet services.

He, however, urged the government and individuals to create facilities and build upon the knowledge that would be provided at the Idlelo 5 conference in Nigeria.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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