With 600 road projects, President Buhari sets unbeaten record

With 600 road projects, President Buhari sets unbeaten record


By GARBA SHEHU

As we mark the 60th Anniversary Day, the record-setting, mega roadways infrastructure development projects by the Buhari administration numbering up to 600 that are undergoing major upgradation or rehabilitation call for public attention and appreciation.

The size and magnitude of the road projects notwithstanding, the clamour by Nigerians for more motorable roads is not abating, and neither is the President Muhammadu Buhari Government’s commitment to delivering on an improved national road network, which it inherited at different stages of disrepair from previous administrations. When there is a will, as the adage goes, there will be a way or two.

Since 2015, the Buhari administration has done more than its predecessors to rehabilitate Federal Roads despite other competing infrastructural funding needs. For an Administration willed to funding numerous other critical national infrastructure projects aimed at economic self-reliance and increased domestic output, it is indeed commendable how the Buhari Administration devised economically sound fiscal strategies to fund the redevelopment of various Federal Highways, including those nearing completion.

A quality road network being the most critical component of a national multimodal transportation plan is the foundation of a thriving economy. Good roads link up the national socioeconomic arteries, centres and hubs. People move about and perform everyday activities, mostly by road. It is also by the road that people go to earn a living, farm, or access other transportation modals like rail, air, and water. Essential social services such as education, healthcare, hospitality, community integration, neighbourhood security, religious and private interactions are majorly accessed by roads. A quality road network is therefore the mainstay of any thriving economy.

Nigeria’s 108,000km of surfaced roads of which those categorised as Federal Roads make up 32,000km or 18 per cent had steadily deteriorated in the period preceding this administration through a combination of official neglect, a poor maintenance culture, and perhaps more fundamentally, the absence of a legal and policy framework for private sector participation in funding, management and maintenance of Federal Highways.

Despite the recent drop in revenues due to lower oil prices and the aftershock of the Covid-19 shutdown, Nigeria’s economic potentials are enormous. Although the Buhari Administration is mindful of the pains the average Nigerian is passing through due to the coronavirus-induced recession, it has nonetheless been resolute in continuing with its economic recovery plans which have as a key component the rebuilding of national infrastructures.

It is therefore highly commendable the ceaseless fiscal and administrative stimulus this Administration puts into the timely completion of major roads and bridges across the six geopolitical zones of the country to stimulate economic growth.

The Administration is achieving this objective through the establishment of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), in 2018, to fast-track the completion of critical infrastructure projects. In addition, President Buhari, in January 2019, signed Executive Order 7 (the “Companies Income Tax Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme) which is aimed at attracting PPP financing for road construction across Nigeria. It was through this laudable scheme that infrastructural funding is sourced from the Sukuk Bond.

Some of the 600 on-going federal road projects whose completion will immediately impact economic activities include the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway, which is being reconstructed as a concrete road, for the first time since it was built 40 years ago. This vital economic gateway can be likened to the nation’s spinal cord, the backbone of our import and export business. When this road is choked and vehicular traffic snarls in gridlock, as it often is, the economy of Nigeria, and indeed the entire West African region, is effectively paralysed. The Buhari Administration is committed to reconstructing the Expressway to benefit national and regional economic development. Both the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway and the Bodo-Bonny Bridges and Road, (which was conceived in the 1980s, but actual construction started in 2017), were executed under the Executive Order 7 projects.

Other projects being funded under PIDF include the Second Niger Bridge. Main construction for this vital gateway into the South-South and South East regions started in 2018, and completion is scheduled for 2022. As it stands today, the construction company, Julius Berger is claiming 57 per cent completion. There is also the reconstruction of the 375km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway and its transformation to a six-lane configuration; reconstruction of the Benin – Ofusu – Ore – Ajebandele – Shagamu Expressway; the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Kano-Maiduguri Expressways. The Loko-Oweto Bridge, linking Benue and Nasarawa States, an important interstate project started by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, is being completed by President Buhari.

In 2017, the Buhari Administration identified and marked out 63 roads across the country, including 44 Federal Highways. These roads which linked up trade, commerce, port, and agricultural centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country were classified under Critical Economic Routes and Agricultural Routes, and accorded budgetary priority.

The roads include the Apapa/Tincan Port, NNPC Depot (Atlas Cove) to Mile 2 Accessed Road, Apapa-Oshodi Road, Third Mainland Bridge, Apapa/Tincan Island Port-NNPC Depot Access Road, Benin-Ofosu-Ore Ajebandele-Shagamu Road, Obajana Junction-Benin Road Phase 2: (Sections i-iv), Sapele-Ewu Road Sections 1&11, Second Niger Bridge, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway (Amansea-Enugu State Border), Yenegoa Road Junction-Kolo-Otueke-Bayelsa Palm and Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridge.

Included are the Abuja-Lokoja Road Sections i&iv; Suleja-Minna Road Section 11; Kaduna Eastern Bypass; Kano-Maiduguri Road Section 1-1V; Hadejia-Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road and Kano Western Bypass; Odukpani-Itu-(Spur Ididep-Itam)-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway Sections 1&11; Ikom Bridge; Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Sections i-iv; Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road; Vandeikya-Obudu-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road; Oshegbudu-Oweto Road; Oju/Loko-Oweto Bridge with approach roads; and the Nassarawa-Loko Road.

Others are the Kano-Katsina Road (Phase 1: Kano Town at Dawanau Roundabout to Katsina State Border); Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Yauri Road; Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Road; Ilorin-Kabba-Obajana Road (Sections 1&11); Ibadan-Ilorin Road, Section11 (Oyo-Ogbomosho); Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, Sections 1&11, and Lagos-Otta Road.

Others are the Zaria-Kano Road, Abuja-Lokoja Road (Sections i-iv), Ilorin-Jebba-Bokani Road, Ibadan-Ilorin Road (Sections `1&11), Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Road (Sections1&11), Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu Road, and Obajana-Benin Road (Sections i-iv).

The Kaduna-Zaria Road, Otukpo Township Road, Kaduna-Katsina Road, Onitsha-Enugu Road (Section 1&11), Enugu-Port Harcourt Road (Sections i-iv), Calabar-Odukpani-Itu Road (Section 1), Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road (Sections 1&11), Alesi-Ugup (Iyamoyung-Ugup) Road, Ogoja(Mbok Junction) Abuochichie Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road(Sections i-v), among others, were also among those listed.

There is no doubt the completion of the reconstruction of these roads will heighten the tempo of national economic recovery and achieve one of the cardinal objectives of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

With a government determined to provide smooth and motorable roads, it is the hope that we will achieve a mitigation of the wear and tear of vehicles, enhance the country’s socio-economic development, improve road safety, ensure smooth traffic, reduce travel time and traffic congestion, make for better connectivity in and around the federation.
The movement of people and goods is also improving substantially, even if gradually.

Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity.

NCC Pledges to Promote Robust ICT Infrastructure for Economic Growth

NCC Pledges to Promote Robust ICT Infrastructure for Economic Growth

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has said that the Commission will continue to promote and facilitate expansion of robust broadband/Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure across the country for the rapid development of the nation’s digital economy.

Danbatta gave the assurance in a presentation titled “Communication Technology for Service Delivery in Health, Education, Tourism, the Creative Industry and Agriculture” delivered during the first virtual and sixth edition of Information Communications Technology and Telecommunications Conference and Exhibition (ICTEL) EXPO 2020.

He said the Commission, not only successfully achieved but surpassed the 30 per cent broadband penetration target in 2018. Danabatta observed that through various policy initiatives, broadband penetration has further increased to 42.02 per cent as of July, 2020, noting that this has laid a solid foundation to drive the national efforts at achieving the new 70 per cent broadband penetration target set in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.

Represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Efosa Idehen, Danbatta said in line with this commitment, the Commission has commenced the review of the framework for engaging infrastructure companies to cascade fibre optic deployment to the hinterlands of Nigeria to ensure pervasive access to broadband services in the country.

He stated that with the support of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, NCC is resolving the perennial problem of high cost of Right of Way (RoW) with the support of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to hasten ICT infrastructure that will enable socio-economic activities across various sectors.

According to him, as the world is becoming increasingly digitised; there will be no sector or facet of human life where ICT will not be required for optimal service delivery and improved conditions of living for the citizens.

With regard to the health sector, Danbatta said ICT is playing a very important role in the manner health services are now delivered, adding that the new Internet speed and low latency of 5G technology are expected to further enhance the possibilities of telemedicine and remote surgery.

Similarly, the EVC said the educational sector has also greatly soared on the wings of ICT, as there has been a surge in online learning in many institutions around the globe due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, while illustrating the symbiotic relationship between ICT and educational sectors.

Danbatta said “the relationship between ICT and the educational sector has been mutually beneficial. He assured the stakeholders that the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to enhance the capabilities of the educational sector even further.”

According to him, the agricultural sector has also benefitted from ICT, as several agro-based apps have been designed to ensure that stakeholders in the sector are able to provide and improve on essential agro-services. These developments have helped to boost food production and security, just as a lot of digitisation is also holding sway in the creative industry, enhancing its growth thereby enabling job creation and greater contribution to the Gross Domestic product (GDP).

NCC Counts Gains of MTN Listing in Capital Market

NCC Counts Gains of MTN Listing in Capital Market

The regulatory action taken by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to facilitate the listing of MTN Nigeria on the country’s stock exchange market has continued to bring economic gains to Nigeria and Nigerians in terms of boosting market capitalisation and yielding dividends to shareholders, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said.

Market analysts report that MTN investors have raked in approximately N1 trillion in price appreciation and dividends since April 2020.  The listing of MTN was as a result of NCC’s effective regulatory action taken during the mobile network operator’s fine settlement agreement in 2016, which compelled the telco to, among other things, list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The listing was one of the outcomes of the NCC’s stringent regulatory posture, which served as tonic for other telcos such as Airtel to follow the same direction. 

As the country’s independent telecoms regulatory authority, the NCC, working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), facilitated the landmark listing of the country’s largest telecommunications operator on the bourse.

“This is in line with its mandate to promote investment, create a level-playing field for all licensees, ensure compliance to existing telecoms laws and facilitate delivery of top-notch quality of service (QoS) to consumers,” said the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

According to Danbatta, through this proactive regulation and timely intervention by the NCC, which lead to the listing of MTN on the NSE, a new vista of opportunity has been created in the history of telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

“That important regulatory action enabled Nigerians, consistent with the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to partly, own, manage and control MTN. This bold and courageous regulatory action is now transforming lives and boosting the economy,” the EVC stated.

Danbatta also stated that the listing has helped to translate into action, an important objective of the Commission, which is to promote local investment and ownership in the telecom sector.

“With MTN shares available in the capital market, it is expected that Nigerians will buy shares and by purchasing the shares of MTN, they will be financially empowered and be socially transformed,” he said.

Stating that telecoms is a capital-intensive industry that requires continuous investment, Danbatta said the listing will enable the telecoms companies to raise capital for the expansion of their networks.

“Also, one of the benefits of listing on the NSE is that telcos have enormous opportunity for raising more capital for network expansion, which will, in turn, bring about improvement in the quality of service delivery and quality of experience for telecom consumers,” he said.

The EVC further stated that, “today, the capital market regulator and shareholder bodies have commended the effort of the NCC in making the capital market more resilient through the Commission’s regulatory action in facilitating telcos listing.”

He noted that the listing in the stock exchange will promote liquidity amongst operators, enhance their value as well as promote transparency.

“The Commission is committed, through its regulatory policies and actions, to creating the right environment to attract both Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) and local investment into the telecom industry for increased economic prosperity for Nigerians,” the EVC said.

FSARS REFORMS: IGP VOWS TO SEE THEM THROUGH

FSARS REFORMS: IGP VOWS TO SEE THEM THROUGH

• AS MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS CALLS FOR TOWN HALL MEETINGS

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force especially as it concerns the activities of the Federal Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Special Tactical Units of the Force. The IGP made this known during a courtesy call on him by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare on Monday, 5th October, 2020, at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.

The IGP called on the citizens to exercise patience as the reforms in FSARS et.al are still in progress, noting that all the already announced measures aimed at checkmating a future occurrence of extra-judicial activities by some personnel of FSARS and other Tactical Units of the Force will be followed to the latter. He reiterates that some of the officers who have been found to be unruly and unprofessional in their dealings with the citizens, particularly the youth, have been arrested and are already facing disciplinary actions.

In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare commended the IGP for his prompt response in tackling the issues and called for stronger collaboration and mutual understanding between the Police and the youth. He also called for regular town hall meetings at various State Commands which will involve the Police Spokespersons, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and other critical stakeholders to strengthen the synergy between the police and the citizens, especially the youth.

The IGP, while concurring with the Hon. Minister on the necessity for Town Hall meetings, a practice which he identified as a feature of community policing, reaffirmed the readiness of the Police, under his watch, to work with relevant stakeholders towards enhancing respect for the rights of the citizens and better bonding between the Police and the community at all times.

DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS

SWAIAP TO HOLD THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR INTERNAL AUDITORS IN NIGERIA

SWAIAP TO HOLD THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR INTERNAL AUDITORS IN NIGERIA

The Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP), a professional body that organises and brings together the internal auditors across West African countries would be having their first international conference this October. Themed “Internal Auditor The Unappreciated Catalyst.” The event has been lauded as a welcomed development in the corporate setup of the country. According to the organisers, the conference is meant to educate, sensitise and inform the public on the critical roles of internal auditors as a profession and also distinguishing it from the role of accountants.

Speaking on the importance of the conference, Patrick O. Nzechukwu, first Executive President of Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP) and author, A to Z of Internal Audit Practice, said “we want to use this first conference which is going online due to Covid 19 and social distancing laws in the country to let the public know that internal auditors are critical to the smooth running of every establishment from private to public sectors. A lot of people tend to misplace or mistake internal auditors for accountants, as well external auditors. They might not be wrong; we are going to use this platform to enumerate and explain the differences”


“though internal audit isn’t a course that is offered in the tertiary institutions of the country at moment, nor offered by any Nigerian professional body, notwithstanding, that it has been a professional body since 1978, SWAIAP as a corporate organization are working hard to train internal auditors in the country and change orientation people have for internal auditing both in private and public sectors., including our institutions of learning. We believe that this conference will expose and explain why many managerial people should expose themselves to the intricacies and training of what it takes to be an internal auditor”, Patrick added.

Hosting Dr. Andreas Koutoupis an associate Professor of Financial Accountting from Mediterranean Destiny Limited, Greece, as the lead speaker, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, the Commissioner For Finance, Lagos State and certified internal control auditor as a keynote speaker while Tola Vong from Cambodia and Margret Ogunkoya of Lagos State University and host of others would be speaking at the event.

Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP) is poised to review the current internal auditing practices in Nigeria and West Africa in comparison with global best practices; practically sharing experiences on how we do internal auditing in our respective organizations and educating internal auditors on global best practices with emphasis on effective corporate governance, risk management system and adequate internal control and compliance and virile reporting systems, and informing stakeholders on the imperatives of effective internal auditing in West Africa.

“We would be using the Zoom virtual platform for this conference as we are encourage companies’ decision makers, business founders and staff who are interested in becoming an internal auditor to log in on the 17th of October 2020 for the conference. They would be opportuned to ask professional questions and also have an idea of the current evolution of internal auditing in Nigeria and ECOWAS region”, concluded Dr. Austin Okogun, a member board of trustees of SWAIAP.

“though internal audit isn’t a course that is offered in the tertiary institutions of the country at moment, nor offered by any Nigerian professional body, notwithstanding, that it has been a professional body since 1978, SWAIAP as a corporate organization are working hard to train internal auditors in the country and change orientation people have for internal auditing both in private and public sectors., including our institutions of learning. We believe that this conference will expose and explain why many managerial people should expose themselves to the intricacies and training of what it takes to be an internal auditor”

Minister Sadiya Umar Faruq Convenes Zero Hunger Initiative Private Sector Roundtable To Address COVID-19 Pandemic Impact On Vulnerable Communities

Minister Sadiya Umar Faruq Convenes Zero Hunger Initiative Private Sector Roundtable To Address COVID-19 Pandemic Impact On Vulnerable Communities

The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk met with leaders in the business and development sector in Lagos at the weekend to align private and public sector priorities and coordinate activities of intervention towards alleviating the many problems affecting the poor and vulnerable across the nation.

The roundtable aims at rallying stakeholders’ support to boost efforts of the federal government in addressing the myriad of challenges emanating from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister impressed upon guests the importance of “re-imagining our approaches to solving new and older challenges in the wake of the pandemic”.

She also assured that the meeting will lead to a “renewed vigour in ongoing efforts to find better ways to collaborate as we help those most vulnerable in society.

“In our capacity at the federal level, we have been working diligently to address the problems across Nigeria. While our results are significant, collective action between the government and private sector organisations can have a greater impact.”

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria Mohammed in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in development. He noted that public-private partnership has been instrumental in the projects the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has successfully executed in Nigeria.

Bankole ‘BankyW’ Wellington, the founder of Lekki Food Bank and Banky Wellington Foundation also noted at the round table that “it is important to identify community leaders when doing interventions in the society”. He also stated that his desire is for Nigeria to have a food bank in each community.

Attendees at the roundtable resolved to better align their efforts with those of the federal government of Nigeria towards cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians, especially regarding the increasing number of people at risk of  hunger, with inadequate access to health and educational facilities.

 The cross-sector roundtable had in attendance Mohammed Yahya, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Abubakar Sulieman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Alero Ayida-Otobo of Project Ark, Onyeka Akumah of Farmcrowdy, Alan Sinfield, CEO of 9 mobile, Bankole Wellington, Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals among many others.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE

NITDA TRAINS PUBLIC SERVANTS TO CHAMPION DIGITAL ECONOMY

NITDA TRAINS PUBLIC SERVANTS TO CHAMPION DIGITAL ECONOMY

The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA has successfully trained Batch A of Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups ( DT-TWGs) drawn from Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) to drive the digital transformation agenda in the public sector and digital economy at large.

The Director General/CEO of NITDA Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE represented by Director eGovernment Development and Regulation, Dr Vincent Olatunji stated that part of the requirement for the implementation of the National Digital Economy Strategy is to have skilled man power to be able to deliver on the strategies embedded in the plan.

“What we have done in the past five days is like building a foundation and we are the foundation that we have built for our different MDAs”, said the DG.

He made this known during the closing ceremony of training for the first batch of digital economy champions out of four batches in Abuja. Opining that it is a pointer that the federal government is focused on digitalization of the public sector.

Mallam Abdullahi revealed that NITDA is part of the group that developed the National Virtual Meeting Policy for the public service. This policy he said will soon be launched by Office of the Head of Service of the federation (OHSF); and that will again deploy human capital development infrastructure in MDAs. This is why government is working hard by developing these policies so that public servants from anywhere can work effectively, give approvals, write memos and many more which is the only way we can really move forward in actualising the digital transformation of the public sector.

“We need to take this knowledge back to our various organisations to impart on those who are not here which is the only way to be on the right path toward actualising the National Digital Economy Strategy”,he advised.

The NITDA CEO mentioned that, “it is like a collective responsibility that we all have roles to play and we are developing ourselves on the roles that are meant to be played by officials of the federal government of Nigeria”.

He cited that government policies are to be driven first by civil servants before the private sector follows suit, invest in infrastructure and create jobs. As he said that because of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) a lot of retirees have come out to register as Data Protection Compliance Organisations DPCOs which is a completely different economy of its own under the digital economy platform.

He stated that NITDA in collaboration with KOICA drew up the National eGovernment Masterplan and part of the requirement for the implementation of the masterplan was to create the DT-twg.

Focus Softnet Services Limited Harps On The Need For Firms To Deploy Robust ERP Solution For Maximum Productivity

Focus Softnet Services Limited Harps On The Need For Firms To Deploy Robust ERP Solution For Maximum Productivity

Focus Softnet Services Limited, an indigenous based IT firm based in Lagos and the authorised reseller of Focus 9 enterprise resource program (ERP) has harped on the need for the indigenous firm in the country to deploy robust ERP software that will enhance productivity in the private and public sector.  Speaking to the media, the Managing Director of Focus Softnet Services Limited, Moses Uvomata described Focus 9 as a “must have” for enterprises in the country now that many organisations have their staff working from home as a result of Covid 19 pandemic.

Focus Softnet ready for business in West Africa - ITEdgeNews.ng

In his words, “Focus 9 is one software that is very amazing for organizations be it public or private sector. It is a full enterprise resource program (ERP). This ERP runs in cloud and can be deployed offline and with the AI integrated in it, it syncs automatically when there is internet availability. As the world is tilting towards cloud computing, FOCUS 9 enables organizations to work seamlessly. With this software, the company has all it needs to work and enhance productivity. This is a full ERP solution that caters for everything that the organization does, you don’t need any other solution. We have accounting, payroll, HR etc.”

He added “We have CRM also. In Focus 9, we describe it as if you can think it, we can deliver it. The robust nature of the solution – Focus 9 allows firms to adapt to size and depth and grow user roles and profiles to suit the organizational hierarchy and structure. Modular structure lets you decide the ERP rollout strategy Online & offline synchronization helps you smoothly get remote data Unlimited masters, tags & workflows let you define & evolve your company’s SOPs Powerful Application Programming Interface (API) lets you expand your operational unification across your organization.”

Focus 9 Reviews: Pricing & Software Features 2020 - Financesonline.com

He reiterated that the organization has many software that are cloud-based solution designed for various categories of businesses ranging from small to big enterprises. But he reiterated that Focus 9 is basically designed for medium and big enterprises due to the complex nature of their operation. Focus 9 solution is designed for the complexities in business while Focus 6b is for small enterprises. He opined that “FOCUS 9 software is targeted at medium and large enterprises or companies. ERP is enterprise resource planning and the word “enterprise” we are looking at medium and big, but that doesn’t mean we are overlooking the small guys. We have ERP products that are designed for small and medium. You cannot want and accounting software and you need an ERP, people must start understanding the basic differences of these solution. For instance, we have FOCUS 6 and FOCUS RT, these are meant for these small firms, the basic difference between FOCUS 9 and Focus 6 is the level. We tried to capture all the various levels of businesses. We have FOCUS I for relatively big firms, all our products are end to end. Be it into manufacturing, services and public sector.”

On the issue of support the Technical Director of Focus Softnet Services Limited, David Jalyeoba opined that “The core thing that makes us unique not only Focus 9, all focus products is that our solutions are user friendly. Our solutions you can do things from the front not going through the back-end. Ours is front end, you can take full ownership unlike the others that you have to go through the back-end. We made our solutions so easy that you take charge of the software and inputs not meeting the vendors. Our support is so robust that we make things very seamless for the user, we are a phone call away. We have offices worldwide with head office in Dubai. We don’t have a problem with support. Also coming with a hybrid database which includes an advanced data management system that supports both on-disk and in-memory data storage features. The in-memory part enables sorting, storing and retrieving data from memory to make the processes substantially quicker, whereas hard disks provide the most cost-effective storage variant for a huge volume of data.”

ANTHONY NWOSU

“Focus 9 is one software that is very amazing for organizations be it public or private sector. It is a full enterprise resource program (ERP). This ERP runs in cloud and can be deployed offline and with the AI integrated in it, it syncs automatically when there is internet availability. As the world is tilting towards cloud computing, FOCUS 9 enables organizations to work seamlessly. With this software, the company has all it needs to work and enhance productivity.

Managing effective (and credible) financial projections of a startup

Managing effective (and credible) financial projections of a startup

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The role of a startup Chief Financial Officer (CFO) goes beyond traditional financial management to creating a roadmap for growth and longevity. “Not only does the CFO role demand the efficient and effective deployment of resources that result in maximum returns – it’s just as critical to design and implement processes to ensure the financial department seamlessly integrates with the Aura’s operations,” notes Patrick Gilbride, Chief Financial Officer at Aura – South Africa’s most effective, accessible and affordable emergency response platform for the security and medical services industry.

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Navigating the startup environment and operating in a near constant state of flux is a time of invaluable opportunity for a new CFO. “Financial forecasting in a startup is always the most challenging task. Aura needs to remain as dynamic as possible, and that often requires a complete change of direction. A big part of my role as CFO is to provide a clear picture of the current state of affairs that enables the management team to make informed decisions,” adds Gilbride.

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Having credible and effective financial projections is hugely significant to the success of any business, but for a startup it’s the golden thread that drives growth, strategy, and an organisation’s vision and purpose. “Being involved in an organisation that moves quickly and isn’t afraid to make mistakes is the perfect environment for someone who wants to grow as much as possible. I believe Aura is the tool that will bring the security industry into the 21st Century. According to Numbeo’s 2020 Crime Index South Africa is the third most dangerous country in the world. Aura is a solution that can bring every South African the security they deserve.”

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Gilbride 

Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business – Danbatta

Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business – Danbatta

…As 2020 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Kicks off

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said the need to be cybersecurity-conscious to guarantee online safety for Internet users is everyone’s business and not reserved for a group of people.

Danbatta stated this to herald the commencement of a series of enlightenment and awareness campaign activities being embarked upon by the Commission for this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM).

The month of October every year is NCSAM globally, aimed at raising awareness about cybersecurity, and to provide the public with general knowledge and tools required for online safety.

He said Internet users across mobile networks in Nigeria currently stand at 149.8 million as at August, 2020, noting that more users are expected online as services in different sectors of the economy are becoming digitalised . He stated that the increase in digital financial transactions for e-commence activities calls for greater responsibility on the part of individuals and corporate internet users to protect themselves against cybercrimes.

According to Danbatta, as the Commission embarks on various policy initiatives to drive pervasive broadband penetration to achieve increased digital inclusiveness, it is not unmindful of those who use Internet to carry out nefarious and dubious activities in the cyber space.

“To keep the genuine individual and corporate Internet users safe, the NCC, as regulator of the telecom sector, annually joins the rest of the world to create a lot of enlightenment around cybercrime in the month of October every year. We ensure that consumers are empowered through awareness and sensitisation campaigns, by providing information on both the positive and negative potentials available online, and measures required to safeguard themselves and their loved ones,” the EVC said.

Danbatta emphasised that “Security is not reserved for a group of people, it is truly everyone’s business; bringing competence and knowledge to help build a safer and more inclusive information society.”

Danbatta restated the commitment of the Commission to continually embark on policy initiatives to enhance online security as well as educate and equip the consumers of telecoms services with information they need to be protected online.