Innovators and Entrepreneurs Emerge in 2016 Etisalat Prize For Innovation

Winners of the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Innovation have been announced. They are“OneMedical” for the Most Innovative Product/Service category and“Dresses by Aloli”for the Most Innovative Idea category.

Prizes to the winners were presented at an awards ceremony which held in Lagos at the weekend by the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher and with support from the Director General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim andthe Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, FunkeOpeke.

While congratulating the winners, Mr.Willsher, said that Etisalat Prize for Innovation is a demonstration of the company’s belief that Nigeria’s developmental needs can be met through the creation of innovative products and ideas.

“With the Etisalat Prize for Innovation, we demonstrate our belief that innovation is timeless and can be found in the most unlikely places, and created by the most unlikely people. We believe that the change Nigeria needs to move forward can be created through innovative products, services and ideas,” he said.

Mr. Willsher also reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to support the growth of Tech Startups by creating an enabling environment for collaboration between the small businesses and investors.

The Most Innovative Product and Services category award was won by a team of inventors among whom areOjeniyi James,Adegoke Olubusi and Oluwole Gbenga whose entry, “OneMedical”,beat those of other contestants to win the N5 million coveted Prize.

In the Most Innovative Idea category, Tobilola Ajibolatook home the N2 million prize money forher idea, “Dresses by Aloli”, which was adjudged the most outstanding.

In his reaction after receiving the award for the Most Innovative Product and Service, Ojeniyi James thanked Etisalat for the opportunity to be part of history. He noted that the country is ripe for innovations that can help create sustainable development.

Etisalat Prize for Innovation was created in 2012 to discover and celebrate innovative products and ideas that can help drive broadband utilization in the country. It also highlights the revolutionary impact of innovation and technology as it addresses social challenges in the country.

Through the Prize, Etisalat has discovered and empowered a number of young creative Nigerian entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to showcase innovative products, services and ideas that address specific problems in the society and contribute to the nation’s socio-economic growth.

Nigeria at ITU 2016

Nigeria has its full presence at ITU 2016, Nigeria Communications Commission, National Information Development Agency, Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd., Federal Ministry of Communications Technology are present to showcase Nigeria readiness for investment and its tech startups to be showcased to the world.

                                            

                                      NCC EVc, Prof. Umar Danbatta and Dr. Bayero Agabi of DigiVation Network

Dr. Bayero Agabi, Executive Producer, DigiVation Network, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State and Ken Ugbeche, Publisher, Political Economist 

                                     

                                            Nigeria Pavilion at the on going ITU Telecoms World 2016 Thailand

Hajia Hadiza Umar, Head Corporate Affairs, NITDA with colleagues

 

ITU Secretary General Calls for Collaboration

ITU Secretary General, Houlin Zhao

ITU Secretary General, Houlin Zhao, in his opening address to global leaders, business thought leaders, innovators and other stakeholders re-emphasized the need for collaboration and its importance to growing the digital economy.

Also in attendance are, Air Chief Maeshal Prajin Jungtong, Deputy Prime Minister and Acting minister of Digital Economy and Scociety, Royal Thai Governement; Air Chief Marshal Mr. Thares Punsri, chairman, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and Joy Tan, President, coeporate Communications Huawei and Calvince Okello, CEO, M-Shamba are all in attendance.

By Mojisola Alabi

NCC to Sanction MTN Nigeria, Others Next Week

Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given one week ultimatum to MTN, Airtel and other telecommunication service providers to stop sending out Unsolicited Telemarketing Messages or risk heavy sanctions.

The Commission had issued a Do Not Disturb (DND) directives to telecommunication companies in Nigeria on April 20, 2016, but the Commission said they have failed to comply and have earmarked 13 network operators for sanction next week if they fail to remedy the situation.

“After several meetings, including those it held with the network providers, it became necessary to issue the latest ultimatum to redress the menace of incessant unsolicited text messages and phone calls for telemarketing via the various networks,” a statement by the NCC Director, Public
Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo said.

The statement added that the Commission is worried by the non-compliance by the operators occasioned by a deluge of complaints by subscribers across Nigeria.

The 13 network operators, include Airtel Network Limited, MTN Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria, Smile Communication, Visafone Communications, Ntel, Etisalat, Multi links, Starcomms, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel Limited and Gicell wireless.

The NCC has written to all 13 networks providers on whose networks, it has received series of complaints from subscribers regarding the efficacy of the Do Not Disturb(DND) service.

The statement said that the Commission had engaged mobile network operators on this subject and further directs that: the phrase Network generated SMS’ referred to part(d) of the duration issued on April 20, 2016 to network providers shall be taken to mean: messages and calls with respect to only: information on emergencies for example, national security, fire;.Notifications on network maintenance programmes down times and Notification regarding subscribers bundle usage and service renewals.

Other text messages and voice calls informing subscribers of new products and service offerings are not regarded as network generated and therefore regarded as “unsolicited marketing messages.

The NCC has therefore asked these network providers to ensure that information on the Do Not Disturb service should be disseminated after every revenue generating activity via the End of Call Notification (EOCN) for the period not less than 45 days within the hours of 8am to 8 pm daily from the receipt of the latest letter on the subject.

The operators are also admonished to deploy this information through all their channels of communications, including websites, social media platforms, bill boards, flash messages, text messages, Interactive Voice Response platform, radio jingles, newspapers advertisements and television commercials.

The statement said that this notice serves as a pre-enforcement notice and “Failure to comply with the directives, in furtherance of the Direction of April 20, 2016, within seven days from November 14, 2016 shall result in the imposition of appropriate sanctions”.The menace of unsolicited text messages has been a nightmare to several millions of subscribers and the Commission can no longer accept any excuses whatsoever from the network providers, Ojobo said in the statement

Thailand Hosts ITU Telecom World 2016

The Kingdom of Thailand is buzzing with high level officials, tech startups , innovations, disruptors, and others as it hosts ITU Telecom World 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand with the theme: collaborating in the Digital Economy.

This year's edition focuses on the vital role of SMEs in the digital economy for development, where ideas go further, faster to make the world better , sooner.