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Digital Transformation:CITAD Charges Federal Government To Ease Community Networking

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Malam YZ Yau

 

The center for information technology and development CITAD has urge the federal Government to ease Community Networking for easy access by rural dwellers.

The executive Director of CITAD Malam YZ Yau stated this while addressing a Press conference in Abuja .

Below is the full statement

“Last week, precisely on February 2, 2022, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) convened a meeting of stakeholders in the telecommunication sector on the need for a National Strategy for community networks to address the various dimensions of the digital divide in the country.

The meeting, which was attended by over 40 people including people from government agencies, representatives of private sector, development partners, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), professionals, civil society organizations, community based organizations piloting community networks and academics, had the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy Prof Isa Ali Pantami, represented by the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Engr Abdulaziz Aliyu delivering the keynote address.

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Participants at the meeting affirmed the viability of community networks as one of the innovative strategies that is being used by many countries across the world in addressing their connectivity gaps, especially where mobile network operators (MNOs) have found too unprofitable, either because the populations are spare, communities are poor or they are hard to reach. The understanding is that there is need for new business models of small, flexible and nibble providers to fill the gaps that bigger players (MNOs) cannot fill.

Participants also realised that unleashing the potentials of community networks to address connective gaps requires a robust policy on community networks. Unfortunately, as of now, Nigeria does not have such a policy.

In the meeting, CITAD recounted the efforts it had made so far in advocating for a national policy on community networks. These efforts include:

1. Meeting with the team of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to explore ways on how a community networks policy could be articulated for the country
2. Submission of a position paper to the NCC on its request, making the case for a policy regime and providing policy experiences from other countries
3. Follow-up communications to find out if the NCC had commenced the process of getting a policy for Nigeria
4. Meeting with the Hon Ministry for Communication and Digital Economy, robbing minds on the how the community networks sub-sector could be catalysed through policy making
5. Submission of a policy briefing notes to the Minister at his request, providing pathways for the development of the national community networks
6. Making further submission during the consultation processes for the policy on the 5G licensing
7. Meetings with a number of IT related agencies such as National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Galaxy Backbone, etc as part of an advocacy drive on the need for such a policy
8. Addressing a series of press conferences to drive the point that Nigeria needs a policy for community networks to address the digital divide

Participants, including the Representative of the Hon Minister agreed that it was urgent that Nigeria had its policy for community networks. In particular, the Representative of the Minister averred that if all that was needed to catalyse the emergence and growth of community networks in the country, then the matter was simple since the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy is well known for his proactiveness in articulating policies for the digital space in Nigeria.

We at CITAD acknowledge the various efforts that the Minister in particular has put in repositioning the country for a digital transformation. We note for the example that in the last couple of years, he has led in the following, among others:

1. The development and steady implementation of the Federal Government National Digital Economy Policy NS Strategy (NDEPS)
2. The implementation of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) by NITDA
3. The articulation of a new National Broadband Plan and Policy
4. Developed a vibrant digital ecosystem that supports Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDE) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a way that engenders innovation
5. Provisioned robust digital platforms to support government digital services and drive the digital economy
6. We conclusion of the development of the National Start-up Bill which is being transmitted to the National Assembly whose key objective is to create laws that will support the growth of the tech start up ecosystem in the country.
All these policies, laws and initiatives are important digital transformation elements for the country. However, with the digital divide in the country, the good objectives of these policies and programmes will be difficult to achieve. In particular, a large number of people in rural areas and hard to reach communities will be left behind as the experience has shown that even when broadband is rolled out, economic and accessibility factors are key hindrance to their affordability in these communities. The initiatives have not, in a fundamental way addressed the issues of bridging the connectivity gaps in the over 114 underserved and unserved communities in the country. It is instructive that the number of unserved and underserved communities is the result of the pain taking work of another government agency, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). Community networks remain the tool to unleashing the creativity of citizens, mobilising their resources, skills and other endowments to meet their collective digital communication challenge by themselves without asking for government to fund such bridging efforts or waiting for MNOs who are reluctant to do so because what is left are the unprofitable leftovers.
It is in this connection and in furtherance of the voice of the stakeholders meeting, we would like to renew our call on the government to as a matter of urgency provide the country with a national policy on community networks. The advantages are too numerous that we should not give to farther procrastination.
In particular, we would like to:

1. Call on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy to set up a mechanism for the development of a National Policy for Community Networks
2. Call on the NCC to develop guidelines and regulations for the operation of community networks in the country and to allow communities to access and use TV White Space (TVWS) for the purposes of setting up community networks
3. Enjoins the Galaxy Backbone PLC to provide communities with access to its backbone for them to use as their community networks getaways.
4. The USPF to support the upgrading of the many community digital centres they set up in the country to serve as nucleus of community networks for communities that desirous and passionate to set up such in their communities
5. NITDA to work with communities at grassroots level to drive digital literacy which is critical for the effective utilization of digital technology and which is the foundation upon which the digital transformation agenda of the country will rest.
6. Call on the private sector operators in the sector to as, their corporate social responsibility support communities building community networks.
7. Call on all other stakeholders, including political office holders to support communities to go digital as critical contribution to community development.

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Buhari’s Aide: APC Ready to Welcome Kwankwaso Back

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Head Of Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Governor of Kano,Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

 

An aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has expressed the readiness of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to welcome Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso back into the party. Ahmad made this statement on his verified Facebook page, sparking discussions within Nigeria’s political circles.

In his post, Ahmad stated, *“We will gladly welcome Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso and his people into our great party, the APC.”This declaration comes amidst growing speculation about Kwankwaso’s potential return to the APC, a party he played a significant role in forming ahead of the 2015 general elections during his tenure as Governor of Kano State.

Kwankwaso, who is currently the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has remained a prominent figure in Nigerian politics. His possible return to the APC is seen by many as a strategic move that could reshape the political landscape, particularly in Kano State, where he wields considerable influence.

Ahmad’s statement has fueled debates among political analysts and party members, with some viewing Kwankwaso’s return as a boost to the APC’s strength in the region. Others, however, question the implications of such a move for the NNPP and its supporters.

As the political climate heats up, all eyes are on Senator Kwankwaso to see whether he will heed the call and rejoin the party he once helped build.

 

 

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APC Leaders in Kano South Urge Senator Sumaila to Rejoin Party

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Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila

 

The Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their Secretaries from Kano South Senatorial District have called on Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila to return to APC.

Speaking on behalf of the 16 APC Chairmen, their secretaries and ward leaders, the APC Chairman of Albasu Local Government, Alhaji Iliya Jibrin Hungu, said the call became necessary considering the value Sen. Sumaila would add to the party if returned.

Hungu added that “if Sen. Sumaila succumbs to our plea and returns to APC, no any other party will shine in Kano south, just as the man will unite the party members in the district.

“We knew the capacity and value of Sen. Sumaila in Kano politics. Though he is not a card carrying member of the APC, yet the man extends his hands of fellowship to all irrespective of their party affiliation.

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“This is the kind of politician we need in APC. We are therefore, appealing to our serving and former APC state lawmakers from Kano south, APC caucus, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Senator Barau Jibrin and the APC state chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas to help us in pacifying Sen. Sumaila to consider our plea.

“We have confidence that Sen. Sumaila will play a greater role in promoting APC in Kano. We really missed the man when he left the party and we are calling on him to return and join us to promote the party together, Hungu said.

The chairman explained that APC needs committed politicians like Sen. Sumaila who always devote their energy and resources for the well-being of their constituents.

He attested that “Sen. Sumaila has no match in Kano south. We really need the man back into the APC. We will be happy if the Senator accept to return to the party.”

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Federal Government Warns Expatriates Against Visa Overstay

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The Federal Government has warned expatriates against overstaying their visas in Nigeria, announcing a $15 daily fine for defaulters starting August 1, 2025.

Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that expatriates who overstay their visas by more than six months will face a five-year entry ban, while those exceeding one year will be banned for 10 years.

This is part of the new Expatriate Administration System, set to launch on May 1, 2025. The system aims to improve immigration compliance and data accuracy on foreign residents. Expatriates will have a three-month grace period to regularize their status before penalties are enforced. Additionally, the new e-visa system will replace the visa-on-arrival process, allowing travelers to get their visas within 48 hours.

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