The Third African Banking Technology Conference, hosted by AITEC Africa, will hold at the Eko Hotel, Lagos (Nigeria) between May 6 and 8, 2008. The theme of the conference is Competing in a Borderless World. Mr Valentine Obi, CEO of eTranzact, said: “This conference represents an opportunity for Nigeria’s booming financial sector to assess latest technologies, both local and international, that will help increase productivity and profitability and improve clients’ service. We are pleased to be associated with an event that is going to provide world-class briefings for the sector’s decision-makers.”

Charles Nwodo, CEO of XL, said: “Having worked with AITEC in the past, we know they will deliver a world-class event and we are confident that by participating in it we will reach key decision-makers in the banking industry.” Sean Moroney, Chairman of AITEC, welcomed the support from these initial sponsors: “In all the events we hold, we like to work with all key stake-holders in order to serve the educational needs of the industry as a whole. We will be offering an extensive information and networking programme, attracting international and local experts to brief the participants.”

Speakers and topics confirmed for the conference so far include:
• Deon van Heerden, VP MEA Sales & SA Country Manager, Clickatell, South Africa: The mobile device as next generation channel for banks: A case study
• ‘Gbenga Sesan, ED, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria: The Other Side of Improved Teledensity: Cybercrime Threats to Mobile Banking
• Barry Coetzee, MD, Iveri, South Africa: The frontiers of payment technologies
• Jean Moncrieff, CEO, Emerge Africa, South Africa: Effective business process management for banks
• Martin Orji, Managing Director, Nex-Rubica, UK: Setting up a trading, risk management and middle office infrastructure within an investment banking environment
• James Massey, GM, BPC Banking Technologies MEA, Russia: The effect of mergers and acquisitions on banking systems
• Macauley Atasie, CEO, Nextzon, Nigeria: Latest developments in card technology in Nigeria
• Bernard Matthewman, CEO, Paynet, Kenya: Are e-banking channels delivering on their promise for all stakeholders?
• Jim Baird, Managing Director, ATM Africa International, South Africa: The changing face of self-service in Africa
• Mark O’Flynn, Director – Africa & ME, VeriFone EMEA, UK: The direction of electronic payments
• Estevao Tokata, Director, Africa, First Data, South Africa: Prepaid and debit acceptance within the African region
• Girisch Nair, Group Chief Executive, Technology Associates Group, UAE: Collaborative payment solutions assisting in banking the underbanked – proven successes in the East African card payments industry
• Shaun Campbell, Business Development Manager, Upaid, UK: What is the future landscape of Banking the Unbanked?
• Sam Kamiti, GM Alternate Business Channels, Equity Bank Limited, Kenya: Leveraging on alternative business channels to deliver financial services 24/7 cost-effectively and advance the frontier

The event will also include an exhibition to showcase latest banking technology products and services. Bankers wanting to attend the event are invited to email the organisers on info@aitecafrica.com

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This has been used as a news item on ThisDay

Climbing to 37,000 feet a few minutes after a near incident over the Minneapolis airspace must take a lot of courage, right? Wrong. Its called itinerary. 🙂 Temilade and I were really scared (as was every other passenger in the 757-200 flight from Boston) when the aircraft suddenly grew a mind of its own, danced around vigorously and then the pilot made for the skies even as everyone expected touchdown in seconds. I was really scared that we were going to crush the cars on the bridge just before the runway but the pilot’s words a few minutes after the struggle brought a bit of what looked like calm; he said he decided to delay landing because of gathering storm and that we would have to attempt landing again. Thunderous claps filled the plane the moment its tyres touched down and I couldn’t help seeing the reaction of the lady by the window — one of many such across the length of the 757. We strolled towards the gate for the connecting flight and kept discussing the near incident but I couldn’t help laughing at the fact that we were actually getting on another airplane — and crossing the atlantic towards the UK this time. Since reading was the closest therapy to help ignore the fear of climbing thousands of feet within minutes of what looked like an airforce acrobatic display, I was quick to grab at least five newspaper titles.

Reading through almost by the page, I was able to replace the fear for heights with the opportunity to learn mopre about what was happening around the world while I returned to the classroom — and while I spent the weekend setting the tone for my future (hmmm…. “The Surprise”). I read today’s editorial of the Financial Times with surprise written visibly on my face, not only because the headline was “Democrats must choose Obama” but because it said, “The party has waited a long time for a politician like Obama. Enough already”. Maybe that levels the playing field considering the fact that Hillary’s on Larry King Live tonight — the night before Another Super Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal’s feature, “India’s Economic Engine Shows Signs of Fatigue,” quoted government forecasts for economic growth rate for the fiscal year that ended last month as 8.7% and I agree with the authors that this isn’t good for India’s ambitions (even though the team that came for the Harvard course would disagree with me). The UK Daily Mail told the story of how the Bank of England is trying to prevent a 1930-like depression by injecting 50 billion pounds into the financial system “to halt the threatened mortgage meltdown.” And my favourite: Randall Stross’ “Punch line for the digital age: Take my e-mail. Please!” in the International Herald Tribune.

The article describes the dilemma that increased numbers of eMail present. Even though many have been arguing that the simplest solution to the surge would be the same applied to increase in work volume for executives — a secretary/assistant — I think the real solution may be in the ability of the busy executive to organize or sort eMail to know which ones need personal attention and those that can benefit from the gift of delegation. Randall wrote about “e-mail bankruptcy,” a situation in which the user literally deletes every eMail in his/her inbox and starts all over again. My experience with a new system in which I archive some eMails in a folder called “unreplied” (which holds eMails I intend to reply later but are now increasing in volume) has shown that things may only get worse as more people join the eMail communication chain. The ability to sort eMail, keep the inbox tidy and understand the thin line between necessity (what’s important) and addiction (itchy fingers on the blackberry) will go a long way in helping everyone whose life has been flooded by eMail. If your laptop, blackberry and/or other eMail-friendly devices don’t talk to each other (“synchronization” must be a familiar word), you need to consider doing that also because, even as age-long wisdom teaches, central coordination reduces duplicated efforts. The captain has switched off the “fasten seat belt” sign, the ever-smiling crew are rolling the wheels and I guess its only wise to keep this laptop away and enjoy the meal…

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is currently accepting applications for the On-The-Go (OTG) project. The OTG project (a.k.a. “Okada Project”) will empower young Nigerians from underserved communities, who have interest in sales and product distribution, by equipping them with motorcycles and consistent supply of Tura Beauty Care products. Successful applicants will be expected to distribute products at favourable prices using motorbikes along specified routes in Lagos State.

The project is part of Lornamead Africa’s support for Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s (PIN) Ajegunle.org project. PIN, a social enterprise, partners with private sector institutions to build sustainable social intervention models that can help improve underserved communities. Requirements for the OTG project positions include:

• Must have lived in an underserved (or disadvantaged) community over the last 5 years
• Minimum of Secondary School Leaving Certificate
• Possession of valid Driver’s license (Class A)
• Good eyesight
• Minimum of 3 years experience in driving motorcycles
• Sound knowledge of Lagos routes
• Possess selling skill and result-oriented
• Ability to communicate effectively in English language
• 25 to 35 years
• Male
• Guarantor

All interested individuals should send their CVs to ugo.nwosu@ajegunle.org on or before April 25, 2008. You may also call Ugo on 08037474312 for further details.

I returned to school on Monday. I’d been hinting at returning to school for a while, joking that I’d soon run out of knowledge if I didn’t refill 🙂 Thanks to the Interntional Telecommunications Union, I joined the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Education Program on Science and Technology Innovation Policy earlier in the week. I had stopped over for a few days in the UK to add value to another area of my life (more details shortly — or should I tell the story now, Temilade?) and can’t forget the feeling of actually having power for my laptop right on my seat onboard (does North West deserve a mention for that)?

The program has been quite intensive but the discussions are worth the time and tuition. With about fifty experts (mostly from government departments) from various countries across the world and a dynamic faculty, the discussions have touched on innovation, development, case studies (you can bet one was on Singapore) and more. Its only the second day and I’m already feeling the impact the program will have on my work. Outside class, the network is unbelievable! There are three other Nigerians here — a state government’s IT adviser, a government energy consultant and a former speaker of a state house of assembly. Plus, I met a former (young) minister of information this afternoon.

We’re presently taking a tour of the Harvard campus (phew, a deserved break, OMG!) and even though the sun is high up, the cold breeze keeps reminding my hands (everywhere else is covered in layers) that Lagos is quite some distance. I’ve been discussing Nigeria with my “ogas” here, in the light of the class discussions that never fail to remind one of the fact that Nigeria has no business being poor! Each morning, I put my green-white-green muffler (made from local fabric) across my shoulder and walk into class with the hope that I would pick one more lesson that can help sharpen the efficiency of my work as a social entrepreneur with a bias for the role of ICTs in developing economies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nike Oke (08067125727)

Uturn Concepts Presents “The Raising More Money Seminar”
Breakthrough Funding Strategies and Solutions for Non-profit Organizations

Uturn Concepts, a global consulting organization empowers non-profit organizations and small corporations for effective social impact by helping build credibility, capacity and attracting sustainable funding to achieve their objectives. Headquartered in Houston, USA, consultants at Uturn Concepts have succeeded in supporting several non-profit institutions in raising several thousands of dollars to support their social causes.

Uturn Concepts provides several services to the non-profit/social responsibility sector and Fundraising Is Only a Part of What We Do. Partnership describes our approach to working with our clients. We enter every engagement with the understanding that the best solution to any nonprofit client challenge can never be pulled “off the shelf.” We tailor our services and our methodologies to each client’s specific situation — involving the client in every step of the process.

Our services are grouped into three major divisions: 1) Leadership and Teamwork; 2) Planning and Mission Performance; and 3) Fundraising. Most client relationships draw from this broad range of resources, depending on their needs and aspirations.

We provide clients innovative solutions with dynamic results, a team of catalysts with whom they enjoy working and the integrity of a partner committed to greatness.

Doyin Oguntona, (the former President/CEO of Junior Achievement Nigeria who led JA Nigeria to global recognition from 2002 to 2005) is the CEO and Co-founder of Uturn Concepts. She said, “I identify strongly with the funding crisis in the sector as I had hands on experience with those same issues as a former leader in the sector. We look forward to sharing much needed funding strategies, information and practical hands on funding support efforts to build the necessary capacity, credibility and funding needed to be sustainable for the long haul. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all our consultants, funders and corporations for their incredible support and their willingness to travel down to Nigeria to share best strategies for success. We hope our involvement with the non-profit sector in Nigeria will demonstrate to others the need to help build, nurture and provide funding for the social sector in Nigeria.

The seminar series will hold in Lagos at Eko Le Merdien Hotel in July, 2008; Ghana at Novotel, Accra and Cameroun at Sheraton Duoala.

Lagos, March 30, 2008 – On Thursday, March 27, 2008, a new set of twenty-five young people graduated from the Ajegunle.org project, a train-the-trainer capacity building initiative by Paradigm Initiative Nigeria that uses a positive peer pressure concept to transform Ajegunle. Building on the success of the first set of graduates, who have successful trained one hundred and six (106) peers in basic ICT knowledge, the training modules (as well as training process) were modified to accommodate an additional week of ICT training as well as more support towards the development of a realistic business plan. Three of the project’s graduates have successfully interned with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment Unit (UKTI) of the British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, where they were exposed to work ethics, international trade, networking opportunities as well as an opportunity to apply the skills they acquired during the Ajegunle.org capacity building program. Two of them have jointly started a Forex Academy in Ajegunle, after receiving a free Forex training at Hands on Institute of Information Technology (HiiT) Lagos.

In line with our desire to increase the number of available internship positions, a breakfast meeting was hosted for the project by the UKTI on February 14, 2008, where eight (8) firms signed up to provide internship opportunities for Ajegunle.org graduates. The meeting had in attendance, His Excellency, Bob Dewar, British High Commissioner to Nigeria; Peter Stephenson, Director of Trade and Investment, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos and convener of the meeting; Piyush Nair, MD Lornamead Africa; Richard Myerscough, MD Virgin Atlantic Airways; Micheal McTighe, MD, Arik Air; Ike Chioke, DMD, Afrinvest WA; Lebari Ukpong, Director, London Metropolitan University Nigeria Office; Richard Seaver, MD, DHL International Nigeria; Christopher Knight, MD, Standard Chattered Bank Nigeria Limited; ‘Gbenga Sesan, ED, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and Ugochukwu Nwosu, Program Manager, Ajegunle.org. Following the breakfast meeting, one intern has resumed at UKTI, four (4) interns will resume at Afrinvest WA this month, two (2) others will resume internship at Lornamead Africa, two (2) will resume at Virgin Atlantic and four (4) will also resume at DHL Nigeria. The UK High Commissioner was very impressed with the project and he posted a blog on the day he met with the PIN team. A new intern also resumed at the UKTI on Friday, March 14, 2008.

Ajegunle.org has received tremendous media coverage and has been presented in various for a across the world (Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, United Kingdom and Switzerland) as a case study on how ICTs can be used to aid development in underserved communities. The project has also been accepted as one of the projects that will compete in the British Council/Youngstar Foundation Top 12 Youth Works competition. Ajegunle.org is currently accepting applications for a new set of twenty-five trainees, whose training will commence on May 12, 2008. Paradigm Initiative Nigeria is a social enterprise seeking to help deliver ICT for socio-economic opportunities in Nigeria. PIN staff recently consulted for Harvard University, International Telecommunications Union, Computer Aid International and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, among others. PIN’s other bottom-up result-oriented programs, delivered in partnership with various institutions and communities, include the Non-Profit Employee Management Program (NEMP), Creating Local Connections West Africa (CLCWA, a TakingITGlobal collaboration), NIGHT Force (an anti-cybercrime initiative) and CaneVillage.com (a planned social enterprise for artisans).

Contact:
Ugo Nwosu
Program Manager, Ajegunle.org
ugo.nwosu[at]ajegunle.org
www.ajegunle.org
www.pin.org.ng
+234 803 74 74 312

In a ThisDay newspaper report on September 26, 2007, Tim Akano wrote about Covenant University’s giant learning strides under the topic, “Nigeria: Covenant Varsity Produces Int’l Programmers & IT Experts.” The report celebrated “undergraduates of the university [who] qualified as International Sun Java Certified Programmers…” Please read the full report here. One shouldn’t be surprised at this when you look at the school’s mission as clearly articulated on its website: “To create knowledge and restore the dignity of the black man via a Human Development Total Man Concept driven curriculum employing innovative, leading edge teaching and learning methods, research and professional services that promote integrated, life–applicable, life-transforming education, relevant to the context of Science, Technology and Human Capacity Building.

Add these words of the school’s Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo, and you will understand why I was excited to speak to the school’s students on April 3 (see blog post here): “We are committed to producing a new generation of leaders who will positively impact their nations, the African continent and the world at large.” One more, the vision of the College of Science and Technology: “To produce a new generation of competent, skilled and innovative professionals who are able to pioneer excellence that translates into the good life for all Africans.” The Chancellor is not new to Nigerians, and the feat he accomplished with what has been severally described as the auditorium with the largest space in the world. As a professional architect and a man who has never been bound by the status quo, one is not surprised at the story that he insisted that the structure could be erected even though some people said it was impossible at the time.

The amazing things I know about the school and the Chancellor would explain my surprise the first time some students of the school told me that mobile phones were not allowed on campus. I put it off as a joke until I returned to the school earlier this week and spoke about how mobile phones had changed the world. “All of you in this hall now have mobile phones, which we never had while I was a student,” I said, adding that “… please make use of the opportunities you have to improve your lives.” The pin-drop silence that followed prompted me to ask if the joke was true. Their response shocked me, and I wonder why it has remained that way since the ban. The next day, three students of the school were at my place to discuss an innovative solution they came up with. I asked them about the ban and I want to believe that the reason they offered is another joke: “Mobile phones were banned in the school because of an encounter with a disobedient student whose phone went off during a meeting with the Chancellor, after many warnings.”

Disobedient students should be punished but should a whole school be taken back in time? I’ll apologize for that statement if someone tells me how else to explain being kept away from mobile phones that can help one reach family and friends — and even future business partners — in 2008! And we are talking about university-age students here. Come on! So, we can add Covenant University to the list of places where mobile phones can’t be used — alongside hospitals, banks (except GTBank), gas stations, airplanes, etc. This only reminds me again of how I was kept away from using a computer in my third year in secondary school. But that was even secondary school, this is a university — where you should connect young people with opportunities and not deny them in the name of control. I’m writing this as an angry young man whose daily job is to seek out innovative young Nigerians and support them in our collective bid to transform Nigeria into one of the world’s most desirable nations.

I have had many reasons to communicate with students in various schools across Nigeria, but each time I need to discuss with students of Covenant University, they always have to get permission to come and meet me in Lagos. I think that amounts to reversing time, in an age where mobile phones help with better communication. I will also take it that the stories of a campus-wide ban on personal laptops and controlled access (because someone was caught checking porn sites) are two April jokes! Students, parents, lecturers and everyone at Covenant University will need to do a lot to convince the world that the school’s vision is true, and that the words of the Chancellor are consistent with the school’s actions by lifting this ban now. I honestly think that one major question mark hanging over the vision of Covenant University is, “When will students be released from the bondage that has become evident because they can not use mobile phones in school?”

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‘Gbenga Sesan is an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, Nigeria’s first Information Technology Youth Ambassador and a member of the United Nations Committee of eLeaders on ICTs and Youth.

When I got the eMail announcing that I was selected to join the prestigious Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship on the 21st of February, 2007, my excitement tore through the roof. The period between that date and the April workshop at the unforgettable Mount Fleur Resort in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, was filled with many thoughts about my first visit to the country where I met with my first lessons in global ICT discussions (during the International Telecommunications Union Africa 2001 event). The 2001 event saw my first time on an airplane, was the reason I had to rush to get an international passport, and remains the first time I would stay in a strange room that you had to gain access to by using a plastic card 🙂 (I grew up knowing that only keys opened doors).

Leaving London (in September 2007) after we concluded the workshops for the Fellowship, I couldn’t keep my mind away from the people I met, the lessons about leaders (and leadership), the amazing stories that Fellows shared about why they do what they do, the night I sneaked out, the fulfillment of my long-time Oxford dream, the poems, the date that ended ahead of others’ because I couldn’t make conversation with a lady, the comradeship I felt with Fellows, the scenarios, the arguments, the whispers, the amazing sessions, the assignments, the notes, the cooking exercise, the cold night at the pub, the advise from a brother-in-London who disliked all African leaders, the House of Lords, that Lord’s jokes (I skipped the word funny deliberately by the way), the nights we just talked… hmmm, and the last few hugs from people I have come to know as family.

I couldn’t wait to know who this year’s Fellows would be, and you can imagine the speed at which I opened the file when Peter Wilson (Executive Director of the African Leadership Institute) sent the eMail announcing the 2008 Fellows. My eyes (naturally) ran through the list to see who would be Nigeria’s 2008 Archbishop Tutu Fellows and all I could say with each name was, wow. Speaking with Funmi Iyanda (one of the 2008 Fellows) earlier today added colour to my excitement and I’m glad to know that Nigeria produced five of the twenty-two Fellows! The list boasts of Bibi Bakare-Yusuf (Founder & CEO, Cassava Republic Press), Ahonsi Unuigbe (Head of the Government & International Organisations Group, Stanbic IBTC Bank), Mitchell Elegbe (CEO, InterSwitch Limited), Olufemi Oyekola (Business Manager, Global Markets, Stanbic IBTC Bank) and Funmi Iyanda (Broadcast Journalist, CEO Funmi Iyanda Productions – the “Oprah Winfrey” of Nigeria).

I congratulate the 2008 Fellows and welcome them to the family — and can’t wait to welcome the West African Fellows to the alumni network in September!

How better can one honour a man who provided the atmosphere that encouraged the passionate pursuit of excellence? It’s my dad’s birthday today, and I thought agreeing to share thoughts with students of the College of Science and Technology at Covenant University (one of Nigeria’s private universities) was a good way to extend what he helped me get. Arriving at about 1:45pm, the warm welcome helped to get rid of the frustration that crawled out of the car with me (no thanks to traffic situation from Lagos to Ota).

It was the usual student conference atmosphere but one that made me remember Electronic Week 2001, which I helped plan while I was a student at the Obafemi Awolowo University. My participation at the Tech Week 2008 is now past (and you can get the presentation I made here) but I was excited to know that the students will be exhibiting their projects almost all day tomorrow. In a country where students have become experts at copy and paste, it is only exciting to hear that the problem I posed to the group had actually been solved — and the students will demonstrate the solution (taming traffic issues through ICT applications) tomorrow.

One of the major highlights of the day was when the professor who made a presentation ahead of me asked a few questions (after I took my seat) and we discovered he was my uncle! Discussing with the students provided another opportunity for me to bare my mind about the role of young people in any nation’s development, especially in places where the government is busy looking for the budget (duh, it must be somewhere between the Executive and Legislative chambers) or blaming everyone possible for the increasingly embarrassing power (actually, the lack of it) situation. I look forward to the other meetings I have with students in other locations…

Another young Nigerian makes us proud!

Segun Adeoye, a reporter with Tell Magazine has emerged as the winner of the Nigeria Young Journalist of the Year 2007. He beat ten other colleagues to win the first prize, a Laptop computer and a plaque. Ogunseye Toyosi of NewsStar weekly Newspaper, the first runner-up got a multimedia telephone while Rafiu Ajakaye of Daily Independent, the second runner up got a digital camera. The award five-man panel of judges described Adeoye’s article as masterpieces that covered various issues of public interest. “Without an iota of doubt, Adeoye is a genius among young journalists in Nigeria” the Chairman of the award ceremony held last Thursday, March 27, Lekan Otufodunrin stated.

The Young Journalist Awards is an initiative of Media Career Services (MCS), a media training and research organization devoted to promoting excellence in media practice in Nigeria. The 2nd Young Journalist Awards was supported by Posterity Media Nigeria, Journalists Against AIDS, JAAIDS, Nigeria , International Press Centre, IPC, Ericsson, and an anonymous donor.
Media Career Services, which has over the years organized several trainings for the development of journalists in the country, is the publisher of STOP PRESS; the career moulding newsletter for journalists in Nigeria , amongst other journalism career enhancing publications.

Segun’s citation at the award follows:

It is not often that history repeats itself but once in a while it does. Today is one of such occasion.
For the second time, a brilliant and excellent young journalist from the stable of Tell Magazine, Nigeria’s unarguably leading weekly magazine, Segun Adeoye, is emerging as the winner of The Young Journalist Award. Adeoye like his predecessor from Tell Magazine, Adesina Oyetayo has written various reports that can be described as masterpieces. Among them are Life in filth which describes life in Makoko, a Lagos slum, as a life of Splendor in filth, The genius among us that highlights the role parents play in ensuring that geniuses are not lost and A deadly short of breath on life of asthma suffers. Without any iota of doubt, as attested to by our judges, Adeoye like the title of one of his reports is a genius among young journalists in Nigeria.

Editors are not known to be very generous with commendation for their reporters, but the letter of nomination by one of Adeoye’s boss, Olu Ojewale, Associate Editor of Tell speaks volume of the stuff our winner of today is made of. Ojewale wrote: “Although he is young in the field of journalism, he has demonstrated great and unflagging interest in the profession which marks him out among his peers as a resourceful and dedicated journalist. He brings his dedication and commitment to bear by producing clean copies for publication . He has a good command of English, written and spoken. One of his assets is perhaps his capacity for hard work.” Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Segun Adeoye:
(a) Member of press club, A/C Unity Secondary School, Akoko Ondo `1990 – 1995;
(b) Editor –in-chief, (News Secretary) News Committee, Evangelical Christian Union , OAU, 1le –Ife Osun State, 2001-2002;
(b) Member, Guild of Editors, Association of Campus Journalists, ACJ, OAU, Ile-Ife, 2002 – 2003;
(c) Pioneer Deputy Editor –in- Chief (Editorial) The Megaphone News Agency OAU, Ile-Ife, 2003 – 2003;
(d) Reporter, Tell Magazine , 2005 – Date.