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infotech
Tuesday, 22 December, 2015
ICT stakeholders urge retailers to upgrade Computer Village Stories By Bode Adewumi
T
HE Computer Village Expo 2015 has raised the need for the Africa’s biggest technology market as speakers have urged the retailers to embrace the internet and other technological apparatuses to reinvent the market. The three-day maiden #CVExpo15 tagged #OtigbaRising and organised by the Technology Times in Lagos, attracted the attention of technology users, mobile consumers, business professionals, the media, entertainment stars and other delegates, who were unanimous in their views that technology retailers in the market must innovate to leverage the online space and remain relevant in the present era. Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, president of Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDAN), said that statistics show that over 20 million phones are sold in the Computer Village monthly. He recalled that the present location of the market was a residential area until late 1999 or early 2000 when internet technology became a household name in corporate Nigeria. He said knowing that a major industry was about to spring forth, savvy businessmen took position in the most vantage location of Ikeja – Otigba Street to commence trading in IT equipments and devices. By 2003 a year after GSM services were introduced to Nigeria, computer village had become a household name among telecommunication users, especially small businesses and end users. Mr. Femi Awoyemi, president, Online Publishers Association of Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of Proshare Limited said that several business dynamics are currently impacting the market as it is losing grounds to other African markets. According to him, to retain the relevance of the market which the National Bureau of Statistics said contributes two per cent o the national GDP, government ought to make deliberate policies to protect local investors and OEMs. Mrs. Adenike Shittu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mojoy Computers, said that, before now Computer Village was a toast of other West African markets, but that the evolution of online retailers has led to the decline of patronage by customers, coupled with neglect by local authorities. But, Ojikutu Adeniyi, principal partner, Pacific Network Solutions Limited, said that solutions to Computer Village revolve around operators in the market creating values to lure customers. Adeniyi argued that instead of seeking help from either the government or other market segments, operators at the market must embrace technology, close ranks among themselves and engage technical partners to update to improve their skill sets in line with technological advancements. “We need to embrace the inter-
net. Today, Yudala is taking charge because we do not even have anything like Computervillage.com, where people can search and obtain first-hand information about the market. How do we measure our successes and failures? The ultimate thing is to close ranks and maintain standards. By the time people visit computer village and
are satisfied, they will try to visit again,” Adeniyi said. Earlier, Mr. Shina Badaru, Chief Executive Officer of Technology Times, said that the exhibition was converged to showcase the Computer village (Lagos) Nigeria as the computers and computer accessories market with incredible potentials.
He said :“This is the biggest technology market in Africa where you can find a wide array of branded computers and cloned PCs here. The market is also host to a multitude of digital cameras and camera accessories, and mobile phones and accessories. This is market awash with computer technical gurus.”
From left: Ojikutu Adeniyi, Principal Partner, Pacific Network Solutions Limited; Adenike Shittu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mojoy Computers; Ejovi Ekakitie, Manager, Corporate Sales at Yudala and Godfrey Nwosu, president of Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDAN), during the Computer Village Expo 2015 held in Lagos, recently.
Samsung Smart School set to train 10, 000 teachers IN furtherance of its commitment towards sharing innovation to build a better society, Samsung Electronics West Africa has launched the Samsung Smart School for Teachers at the Federal Government Boys College in Apo, Abuja, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education Abuja. The Samsung Smart School for Teachers in Apo will be the first of five to be launched in Nigeria, with others planned for Ogun, Rivers, Delta and Imo states. This will result in a collective 10, 000 teachers receiving training as primary beneficiaries, and a further 5, 000 students impacted as secondary beneficiaries, over a five year period. “The Samsung Smart School concept is implemented in urban schools with the infrastructure, but not the skills needed to use IT for teaching and learning,” explains Mr. Brovo Kim, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa. “In line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal to improve education, we believe it is essential to equip teachers with basic computer literacy, as well as the tools they need to use ICTs for curriculum development and more impactful teaching; and the Samsung Smart School for Teachers is an important step in achieving this,” he added. With the launch of the Samsung Smart School for Teachers at the Federal Government Boys College, teachers will receive training to empower them to access digital content, share it with students, monitor students’ progress and conduct assessments. The initiative is part of Samsung’s global ef-
forts to use technology to increase the quantity of students who have access quality learning materials and facilities, as well as to improve the quality of education given out by tutors. Representing the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan expressed her excitement about the impact this will have on education in Abuja. She recognised and applauded Samsung’s effort and contribution towards ICT development within the country. “We are indeed grateful to Samsung for tapping into the goal of the ministry of education to train quality teachers. We encourage all beneficiaries of this project to take full ownership of the project and let the improved quality of teaching reflect in our students’ results,” she said. Mrs. Yemi-Esan urged all stakeholders in the education sector to
partner with the ministry of education to salvage the country’s educational system. Concluding her remark, she added, “As ICT becomes more and more entrenched in our lives, it is essential that our students are exposed to it, guided by teachers who can use technology to add real value to the learning experience.” Expressing his gratitude, the principal, Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Mr. Jonathan Mbaakaa added that for relevance in the digital age, teachers must do a lot in the area of ICT knowledge and application, if the teaching profession is to transform to global level of relevance and competitiveness. “With the help of this Samsung Smart School, I believe we will be well on our way to ensuring just that even as our teachers will not have the opportunity to easily access quality teaching resources and in return impact our students with quality knowledge,” he said.
Nigerian Tribune
MI, PSquare, Okposo, others excite Uyo as Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce ends GLOBACOM’S music ambassadors, PSquare, Jude Abaga (MI) and Sammy Okposo, on Friday night in Uyo led other artistes on the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce team to deliver what was a superb curtain raiser to the Yuletide week. The event which was held at the Emerald Event Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, also featured Marvin Records act, Korede Bello, and popular disc jockey, Jimmy Jatt. It was a highly charged atmosphere as the venue was filled to the brim with Glo subscribers as well as subscribers to other networks who trooped out to savour the fun. As has become customary with Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concerts, the show began with an opportunity being given to up and coming acts from the host area to showcase their singing and dancing abilities. The raw talents pleasantly surprised the audience. Comedian Okon Lagos also made a surprise appearance on stage to the delight of fans. After the display, Jimmy Jatt kicked off the main event with a rich blend of old and new sounds from his turntable. This was followed by a performance by Sammie Okposo who added a gospel dimension to the stage. This was appreciated by the audience who cheered and sang along with him the mix of vernacular and English songs. The singer also got some members of the audience to participate in a singing and dancing talent hunt which the audience found quite entertaining. Next was Korede Bello who got a standing ovation from the crowd. He took the evening to new levels as he sang his popular “ God win” song and other tunes. Rap artiste M.I. was next and by this time, the guests were standing on their chairs. M.I was simply at his best as he interacted with the fans who also sang along with him. M.I.’s turn on the stage came to an end even as the audience clamoured for more. But the fans’ thirst was assuaged as PSquare came on stage. The twins held the audience spellbound for about two hours with their energetic dance steps and vocal delivery.
Gionee introduces Gionee S phone in Nigeria GIONEE, a renowned and global Chinese phone manufacturer, has introduced a new phone into the Nigerian market. The new phone, Gionee S plus, aligns with the aspirations of consumers to own a phone that provides tailor made solutions. The new brand is a very sleek and unique brand in a class of its own. It comes after the Gionee EliteS5.1, which is the slimmest smartphone around. Mr Frank Chenlei, Present Director Gionee for the Africa Region, says the brand is a major output of a research and consistent con-
sumer engagement. Gionee, according to him, is poised to not only meet but also surpass consumer expectations. The designs according to him are unique and they will resonate with the Nigerian audience who love innovative and unique mobile devices. The arrival of the Gionee S Plus is a product of ingenious progressive brand development that started 5 years ago and by 2014, Gionee was the slimmest smartphone in the world with the Gionee Elife S5.1 whose body is only 5.1mm thick. Gionee S plus is aimed at simpli-
fying communication for consumers who are continuously on the go.Gionee S Plus is elitist in design and a classical fashion statement for mobile users. It is indeed a true work of art as it performs functions beyond the Android phone. Its aesthetic design makes it a distinct phone in its class. The phone also aligns with the lifestyle of phone users as it is sleek and defines the social status of the user through its innovative designs and mobile functions.GiONEE S Plus comes equipped with a new feature that is safer and more convenient then pattern and digit password.