Opinion

The Progress Needed For Connecting The Unconnected-Y.Z Ya’u

Published

2 years ago

October 17, 2022

Y. Z. Ya’u, CITAD

In a few weeks, the global internet community will meet at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the 17th Global Internet Governance Forum to deliberate on the progress more in extending meaningful connectivity to the billions of people across the world who have remained unconnected by last year. While a number of countries have made startling progress, Nigeria has beyond the statement of attention, there has been no substantive progress in connectivity the unconnected.

Throughout the year, both in the media and through direct contact, CITAD has engaged the government via its relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), to come up with policies on community networks so as to create the space for communities to mobilize their resources and deploy community networks as a complimentary tool for bridging the connectivity gaps in the country,

Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to address the digital divide in the country. However, declaration a lone without action, cannot solve the problem. All those in the industry agree now that no one single mode of technology rollout and ownership can fit all situation in a country. This is why all countries that have succeeded in bridging their own internal digital divide have done so through the deployment of a combination of different owner types, including private, public and community ownership, to which community networks fall.

In Nigeria, as in other countries, private sector led technology rollout has failed to address the connectivity gaps as well as affordability gaps in the country, as demonstrated by figures resulting from the work of USPF that there are still about 114 clusters of communities that are either underserved or unserved and therefore experiencing connectivity challenges. The reason that the private sector cannot address this is that most of these clusters are either sparsely populated (with poor prospects for generating or even terminating tele traffic) or they are in terrains that difficult to reach, thus needing additional expenditure over and above the normal or have people who are too poor to afford the cost of connectivity. All these situations means that these communities are not profitable and thus not attractive to investors who put their money in Mobile network operators (MNOs).

It is in response to such instances of lack of profitability that global practice has developed various methods of connectivity bridging through the establishment and utilization of universal access fund. The universal access fund in Nigeria is provided in the law establishing the Universal Access Provision Find (USPF) that is funded through a special fund accruing from a profit tax of telecommunication license operators.

Although the USPF has a latitude as to how to address both connectivity and affordability gaps, it has often hoped to do that by subsidizing commercial operators rather than empowering communities to pool their resources, endowments, skills, capital to design, deploy and managed community-owned telecommunication infrastructure.

But as experience in both Nigeria and in other countries has shown that MNOs are not attracted by one off incentive from bridging authorities. Instead, they prefer a situation in which conditions are created for sustained return on investment.

Community networks not only help communities to create solutions for themselves but also create the conditions for more profits and return on investment for MNOs. This they do, first by facilitating the insertion of excluded people into the tele-traffic chain, thereby both generating and terminating traffic for the MNOs thar could otherwise have remained suppressed, thus bringing additional income streams for them. Secondly, experience has shown that one of the reasons why MNOs do not when gravitate to the one-off incentive is the cost of overall servicing of non-profitable infrastructure and sites for which the income from them is far less than the cost of maintenance. However, where are developed community networks capital exists, MNOs are able to hand over the management of their sites and infrastructure to communities to ran and manage on profit sharing basis and risk spreading. This frees the MNOs from having to spend on overhead on unperforming sites while communities are freed from investing in infrastructure. Another benefit is that by bringing these communities to cyber space, their community development potentials are enhanced through better and improved access to education, healthcare, business and entrepreneurial activities, etc and in their fuller participation in governance processes.

Government agencies are well aware of these. In meetings after meetings, both the minister and the leadership of NCC have expressed recognition of this and indicated their commitment to create the necessary framework for the seeding and sustenance of community networks. For example, in a meeting with a team from both CITAD and Association for Progressive Communications (APC) on 19 April 2021, the team of License Department of NCC not only expressed commitment but also requested CITAD to provide a background position paper on this and examples of policy frameworks from other countries. Both of these were done and delivered to them. Similarly, in a meeting with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy later in September 2021, the Minister requested CITAD to submit to him a four pager on how to proceed with putting up a framework for community networks In Nigeria which CITAD did without delay. In December last year, when CITAD convened a consultative meeting of stakeholders of community networks, the Minister who delivered the Keynote Address through the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), affirmed the need for policy and ensured that such policy was going to be developed sooner.

For the past three years, CITAD has been working with over 10 different communities which are determined to establish community networks in their communities. These communities have formed platforms that have been registered as legal entities for the purposes of establishing and running community networks in their respective communities. They have also applied for licenses from NCC to operate community networks. in absence of formal policy framework of community networks licensing by the regulator, all applicants for community licenses are treated the same as applications for normal commercial telecommunication licenses. This is not only cumbersome but also too costly the communities to meet.

We have spent over a year now trying to see how communities comply with these. We have gone through these requirements with a number of organizations, including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Alliance for Affordable Internet as well as the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office which has been supported the development of community networks across the globe. The overwhelming conclusion that these conditions cannot allow for the seeding of community networks and that Nigeria needs to create a category of licenses for community networks so that communities could apply, obtain, run, and manage community networks licenses like in other parts of the world.

This has the advantage that government does not have to invest funds in addressing affordability and connectivity gaps in the country.

Following this hardship, we experienced in trying to meet the current requirements, CITAD along with its partners decided to launch a signature campaign to request the relevant authorities to create a non-commercial license category as an additional tier of connectivity providers and to grant such licenses to all communities that are desirous of operate community networks and meeting certain minimum conditions. the signature campaign started last week and so far over 200 representatives of different communities from all parts of the country have appended their signature.,

In this effort, the media has an important role to play in helping to amplify the voice of the unconnected to allow them to legally address their own connect challenge by themselves. In this connection, it important that Nigeria creates category of community license as part of its commitment to address the digital divide in the country. While on their surface media has may not see connection with its work and community networks, however on reflection, it will understand how difficult it is to report news and reports in areas where there is no connectivity. In other words, addressing the connectivity gaps will enhance the practice of journalism in the country as it will open up areas that can be classified as difficult to report for the media.

The key message here is tell the government that it is in the overall national interest of the country to recognize and grant these community licenses. This should be done urgently even before the formal request by the signatories to the campaign is submitted. The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy should direct for the empaneling of a committee to develop the necessary framework for regulating and licensing of community networks while the telecommunication regulator, the NCC should move from expression of commitment to actual actioning by granting provisional licenses to communities that present their formal applications for such licenses.

Opinion

The Fleetingness of Our Existence: The Death of Ajia Muhammad Kamil

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

I had resumed to work on Monday 15th April, 2024 in Minna after Eid -L-Fitri celebration in Ilorin, when I received a call from one of my colleagues, who broke the news to me that Ajia Kamil had passed on. Innalillahi waina ilaihi rajiun.

The reality of death is scary as it will visit every soul in an unexpected time and manner. Ajia’s demise is a testament that death has nothing to do with age. He was a jolly good fellow. A straight forward young man. We joined National Examinations Council together in 2010.

If there’s anyone who reached out to me on issues concerning our organization I always referred them to Ajia at the Kwara state office in Ilorin.

He was very honest and would do his job diligently. Many of our staff attested to the fact that Ajia was an easy going person and hardworking

One remarkable thing about our relationship is that sometimes last year, he informed me of what he heard about me and upon telling him my own side of the story, he sincerely warned me to desist from any act that may jeopardize my integrity. I thanked him profusely, because he was very blunt with me. He would tell you the truth without looking at your face. That was the kind of human being he was. I never heard a report of him being in feud with anyone.

Another thing he did that I won’t let slip my mind in a hurry was when I missed promotion in 2023, the way he showed concern about it was overwhelming, loving and convincing. He was promoted but he would always call to admonish me not to brood over it. He was a finest gentleman.

The propensity of Ajia’s death hits us so hard, because we have never recorded any death amongst Ilorin Emirate NECO staff since 2010. May Allah forgive him and other departed souls within our organization and beyond.

The irony of death is, you may be forecasting and envisaging that you are still young while in the record of death you are old enough to be taken. That is the multidimensional mode of operation of death. I’m pretty sure that Ajia was not seeing death even in the next 30 years. Indeed, our existence on earth is fleeting.

As believers death will overtake us at the appointed time which is oblivion to our inclination and expectation. That is why we must do all we can to worship Allah, unite our family members and eschew bad deeds. I pray Allah forgives him, grant him aljannah firdaus and give his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

Opinion

Senate President Akpabio and Religious tolerance

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Senate President Godswill Akpabio

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

It is often said that one should not judge a book by its cover. You can only effectively describe a book after one might have gone through its content in what FR Leavis and Q.D Leavis referred to as the “beautifully woven fabrics of a text”

The Leavis are literary critics; they were husband and wife. Therefore,religious tolerance can’t be seen in abstract because it is a practical disposition. One can’t claim emphatically that he or she is religiously tolerant when his actions, transactions and interactions with neighbours, colleagues and friends are in conflict.

It is on this basis,I feel obliged and enticed to talk write about the recent religious tolerance exhibited by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio when he hosted both Muslims and Christians senators for Iftar on Monday,1st April,2024 in Abuja.As a leader you must work the talk.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Senate president opined that religion cannot divide us,”stressing that it was not a mere coincidence that the Christians Lenten and Muslim Ramadan periods came up again same time.He said despite the different religions, Muslims and Christians have one God.

Mr Akpabio congratulated his colleagues for breaking their fast with him and thanked the Almighty God for enabling them to witness the day alive.He sought for God’s protection and good health for all.

He explained that it was not a coincidence that God is merging the fasting of the Muslims and that of the Christian together.He stressed that it was not the first time the two faiths were observing their fasting the same time.

He stressed the need for them to continue to work together as brothers and sisters of the Almighty God, for the benefit of Nigeria.He asserted that for every human being there is a time to be born and there is a time to go.In his words ” no matter the turmoil,no matter the political disagreement,even families do disagree.But we must bear one thing in mind,that we are serving humanity through Almighty God and that one day,we shall leave this world to go and account for our deeds while we were on earth.I think that is the guiding principle.”

One may not be far from the truth if one opines that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was speaking like a clergyman through his admonition to co-senators that were present at the event.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin,thanked Senate President on behalf of other senators for inviting them for Iftar.According to him “we are really grateful.The invitation is a demonstration of the care that you have for all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.We all know you as a very caring leader, someone who cares about the welfare of all Senators.”

He equally said the invitation has reinforced what they know about Senate President and linked it to Hausa adage that says”inviting you to come is more delicious than the food.”Senator Barau also said they were happy about the invitation, because it showed that the Senate president has them in mind.He prayed to Allah to continue to be their guide and support as they work with the Executive arm of government to face the challenges confronting the country.In his words “..we are going to change the challenges to prosperity”and that Nigeria would become a land of eldorado within a short time by the grace of God.

Religious tolerance is an integral part of National integration; no one can play down its benefit in the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.So whenever I see a leader who have proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is religiously tolerant I appreciate the person,just like the way I’m doing it for the distinguished Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.Similarly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also demonstrated the significant level of religious tolerance by hosting series of Iftar with several religious, political and business community leaders in the country during the holy month of Ramadan.

Interestingly, religious tolerance contributes to robust inter-personal relationships in a pluralistic society like ours.It broadens the society for opportunity in order for a nation to actualize her dream.It also abrogates suspicion among adherents of different faith and promote love.This is why I can’t look away without writing something about what Senator Akpabio has done recently.Even as a Governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years, Akpabio had never been in a news for religious intolerance.This is a greatest feat to his personality and it will continue to resonate across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Significantly ,I was joyous when I saw my political principal, Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate sitting by the right hand side of Senate President during the Iftar in Abuja.Senator Mustapha is a top-notch politician when it comes to religious tolerance.He is from Muslim majority Kwara Central Senatorial district, yet he appointed a Christian as a legislative Aide recently.It is obvious that like minds work together.

In conclusion,no Nation can strive where religious tolerance is relegated to the background, therefore we must as leaders and followers imbibe the culture of inclusivity and religious tolerance for a more United and prosperous country.

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com
07037813177

Opinion

The Cost of Incompetence in governance. A wake-up call to governors.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 4, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Auwal Saleh Lulu

In the intricate dance of governance, the appointment of key officials holds the power to shape destinies and professional service. However, when political expediency trumps competence, the consequences can be dire. This seems to be the case of many appointments for chief executive officers even for critical professional organisations in the Heath, media and educational sector in most states in Nigeria. This appointment of incompetence tenure, embodies a stark lesson in the perils of appointing leaders devoid of expertise and integrity.

Handling the reins of authority with little regard for meritocracy, lead to character flaws that quickly come to the fore.
Most of these kinds of appointments are characterised by Selfishness, total incompetence to handle or administer professional tasks assigned and driven a voracious greed for personal enrichment, the ill-suited for the weighty responsibilities entrusted turns vaque and rather than stewarding the organization with wisdom and vision, they mostly embarked on a reckless pursuit of quick riches, heedless of the long-term repercussions.

Compounding their incompetence was a glaring lack of proficiency in the field they are appointed to oversee. With scant knowledge of the subject matter, they stumbled through unknown duties, leaving chaos and disarray in his wake.
Most of the organizations where these kinds of appointments are done, are those meant to be a beacon of hope, progress and some even a fighting tool under the government’s auspices, languished under these kind of misguided leadership.

Despite mounting evidence of their ineptitude, with lust most governors remained oblivious and lost to love shadows for their appointees and to the havoc wrought by these kinds of ill-conceived appointments. While some are Blinded or blindfolded to the damages inflicted upon the organization and the broader community.
Oftentimes, most governors turned a blind eye to the signs of impending disaster. Ignoring all signs with complacency shields these kinds of appointments, either from accountability point of view, to subject proficiency and capabilities, prolonging the suffering of those affected by the illusions of their mismanagement.

Yet, time is a relentless arbiter of truth. As the days pass and these kinds of stoothed leadership’s failures become increasingly apparent, the veil of deception woven by political expediency, will inevitably fray.
There will be a time that it will be too late to reverse these kinds of damage wrought by their misplaced trust with a lot of repercussions
.
In the annals of governance, the cautionary tale of a selfish, impatient, and greedy leadership may serve as a poignant reminder of the imperative to uphold principles of meritocracy, professionalism, commitment and integrity in service.
For, in the absence of such virtues, the dreams of progress and prosperity risk being dashed upon the rocks of incompetence and folly.

Just because incompetence is elevated.