Author: ITPulse

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday paid a surprise visit to the Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) in Kano and Kaduna. The visit is part of NCC’s bid to ensure that the toll-free 3-digit National Emergency Number, 112, is being put to effective use in this critical time of Coronavirus pandemic, and national objective of enhancing the security of lives and properties. Danbatta’s visits were informed by his realization that, with Coronavirus spreading across the globe and more people living in isolation, the NCC’s 112 toll-free number could play a crucial role…

By Martin Ekpeke Stakeholders in the Nigerian telecommunications industry have come to a consensus that Fifth Generation Technology, simply referred to as 5G has nothing to do with the Coronavirus, which is presently ravaging the world. Nigerians woke up a few days ago to the strange rumour of 5G technology connections to the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe. Those, who paddled the rumour argued that 5G, a yet to deployed technology in Nigeria caused the Coronavirus. But in separate statement, both the Nigerian Communications Commission, the country’s telecom regulator; the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the Association…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has provided some clarifications over the controversy surrounding the 5G and the Coronavirus presently causing havoc across the world. The clarifications were contained in a Frequently Asked Questions on 5G pulled from the Commission’s website. What is 5G? 5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology which is an improvement in today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities. The 5G technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.   Do we have a 5G…

Professional Services Firms, KPMG has identified the twin evil of Covid-19 and the ongoing crude oil price war as the biggest risk factors that will threaten businesses in Nigeria for 2020/2021. In its biennial Risk Management survey report (‘the report’) titled “Top 10 Business Risks in Nigeria for 2020/202, KPMG also identified regulatory, fiscal & monetary policy and foreign exchange volatility risks as some of the highest concerns for Nigerian Executives across industries. “Prior to COVID-19, the highest concerns for Nigerian Executives across industries are the regulatory, fiscal & monetary policy, and foreign exchange volatility risks, which maintain their place…

By Felix Onajite First Bank of Nigeria Limited has saluted medical professionals tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and the world, THE WITNESS reports. The Bank in a series of tweets on its Twitter page on Friday acknowledged the role medical experts are playing to fight the virus. Some of the messages read: “No capes, just heroes. To all the health professionals at the frontline of efforts to tackle COVID-19, we say thank you. Your tireless efforts are much appreciated. The world called and they responded.” “No cape, just lab-coats. No superhuman capability, just dedication, strength, and compassion. As we…

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has debunked and cleared the ground on the argument that 5G technology is responsible for the Covid-19 Pandemic that is presently ravaging the whole world. In a statement personally signed by the Minister, Pantami noted that there is no licence has been issued for 5G network in Nigeria. Thus, the argument is not necessary. The statement reads: “The attention of my office has been drawn to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria. Based on available records at my…

The 2020 edition of the Titans of Tech Conference & Expo scheduled in Lagos later this year would centre on harnessing the potentials of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, broadband service provisioning and the urgent need to drive an all-inclusive digital economy. A statement by the Managing Consultant of TechTV, organiser of the premium Titans of Tech Conference, expo and Awards, Dr. Don Pedro Aganbi, said the theme “Harnessing the Potentials of AI, loT and Big Data in a Digital Economy”, was chosen to highlight the crucial role of AI, loT and big data in today’s digital economy.…

On 25 January 2019, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) was issued by the National Information Technology Development Agency (“NITDA”), the ICT regulator for the nation. Among the objectives behind this regulation were the protection of the privacy rights and freedoms of Nigerian citizens, on the one hand, and the promotion of local and foreign investments in the digital economy by safeguarding the information systems infrastructure against breaches and implementing internationally compatible rules, on the other hand. The ICT regulator as data protection authority Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa (the Ivory Coast being another example) that…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians that a fake website (https://covid-19-fg-grant.blogspot.com/?=1) is presently asking the citizen to apply for a free Internet bundle ostensibly being given by the Nigerian government in collaboration with NCC. The telecom regulator in a statement signed today by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Henry Nkemadu warned that the website is fake and an attempt to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, especially telecoms consumers. “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission has been drawn to a fake website purportedly asking Nigerians to apply for a free Internet bundle.  For the avoidance of doubt, the NCC…

The 36 states in Nigeria, including the federal government and its agencies, are presently leveraging the National Emergency Number 112, established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to tackle the menace of the Covid-19 pandemic. ITPulse’s check revealed that Nigerians are able to call emergency response agencies/or first responders with respect to any issue they may want to report on the Coronavirus or other health-related issues and emergencies. Thus, providing succour to Nigerians in the nation’s collective efforts to fight the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19. Specifically, all the states and federal government agencies are channeling calls…