NITDA Backs Review of Policy On Universal Software for eHealth

Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has described the use of universal software for electronic health records in health facilities and training schools in Nigeria as time and cost saving measure.

He made the remark while receiving in his office a delegation of Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN) led by the Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Pantami ensured them of his full collaboration and promised to review the document and identify possible areas of collaboration.

He also encouraged the MDAs to patronise our local content products and challenge the producer in given a more qualitative product.

On NITDA’s regulatory role, Pantami stated that, it is an offence for any MDA to deploy IT products in the nation without a clearance from NITDA. However, he appreciated the effort of the HRORBN who perceive it necessary to come through NITDA before development of the software.

Nigeria Computer Society kicks against relocation of NigComSat, NITDA, Others

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has advised the Federal Government to ditch the idea of moving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) agencies: National Information and Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone and Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) from the Federal Ministry of Communications to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

NCS responded to reported moves of the present administration to relocate these key agencies.

If implemented, the Ministry of Communications will be left with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

The Society thus demonstrated that the concept of relocating the three agencies to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology will set the nation more than fifteen (15) years behind its development plans

Professor ‘Sola Aderounmu, president, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in public statement published on the Society’s website, described ICT as central to the creation of the emerging global knowledge-based economy “and it is a pivotal instrument in accelerating growth, promoting sustainable development and eradicating poverty in developing countries such as ours”.

Proposed data tariff hike will prevent monopoly – NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission has said the proposed hike in data tariff by telecommunication companies is meant to protect the interest of the subscribers and prevent monopoly.

The Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, Mr. Ismail Adedigba, said this in Osogbo on the sidelines of the 81st consumer outreach programme held in Osogbo.

He said the agency had not given up on the proposed data tariff increment, saying the NCC was working to protect the interest of Nigerians in order to prevent telecom giants from ripping them off at the end.

Adedigba explained that some telecoms giants could charge very low tariff just to prevent new entrants in the sector, adding that after warding off competition, they would hike their price astronomically and subscribers would be at their mercy.

EU accuses Facebook of misleading it in WhatsApp takeover probe

A 3D printed Whatsapp logo is seen in front of a displayed stock graph in this illustration taken April 28, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

The European Commission has charged Facebook Inc (FB.O) with providing misleading information during its takeover of the online messaging service WhatsApp, opening the company to a possible fine of 1 percent of its turnover.

However, the statement of objections sent to Facebook will not affect the EC's approval of the $22 billion merger in 2014, the Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

Facebook becomes the latest Silicon Valley target of EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who has demanded Apple (AAPL.O) pay back $14 billion in taxes to Ireland and hit Google (GOOGL.O) with two market abuse investigations.

All set for Digital Switch Over in Abuja – Minister

The Control Room at Pinnacle Communications, Signal Distributors for Abuja Digital Switch Over

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said all is now set for the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting in Abuja on Thursday.

The Minister announced this in Abuja on Monday during the tour of key facilities of Pinnacle Communication Limited, the signal distribution for the Abuja DSO.

“We are impressed by the speed, commitment and passion of Pinnacle to this project and we have come here to ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensure smooth Digital Switch Over in Abuja on Thursday,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said 30 free channels will be available for Abuja residents upon the switch over on Thursday and that over 450,000 Set-Top Boxes have been provided for the flag-off.

Amazon's first drone-powered delivery takes 13 minutes

Drone delivery has begun.

On Dec. 7, a bag of popcorn, along with an Amazon Fire TV stick, left a Cambridge warehouse in the U.K. and 13 minutes later, both were accepted by an Amazon customer, one of two who had agreed to be part of the test program.

A video posted by Amazon shows a fully autonomous drone, no humans involved, taking off from the warehouse and flying over fields to deposit the package just outside the customer's home.

Amazon, with drones, aims to make deliveries in 30 minutes or less. Packages must weigh five pounds or less and can be delivered only during the day and in clear weather. The Seattle-based company plans to expand the trial to hundreds of users.

Google and Cuba sign deal allowing faster access to company's data

Google and the Cuban government signed a deal Monday allowing the internet giant to provide faster access to its data by installing servers on the island that will store much of the company's most popular content.

Storing Google data in Cuba eliminates the long distances that signals must travel from the island through Venezuela to the nearest Google server. More than a half century after cutting virtually all economic ties with Cuba, the U.S. has no direct data link to the island. 

The deal removes one of the many obstacles to a normal internet in Cuba, which suffers from some of the world's most limited and expensive access. Home connections remain illegal for most Cubans and the government charges the equivalent of a month's average salary for 10 hours of access to public WiFi spots with speeds frequently too slow to download files or watch streaming video.

17 Equations that changed the World

In 2012, Mathematician Ian Stewart came out with an excellent and deeply researched book titled "In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World."

His book takes a look at the most pivotal equations of all time, and puts them in a human, rather than technical context.

"Equations definitely can be dull, and they can seem complicated, but that’s because they are often presented in a dull and complicated way," Stewart told Business Insider. "I have an advantage over school math teachers: I'm not trying to show you how to do the sums yourself."

He explained that anyone can "appreciate the beauty and importance of equations without knowing how to solve them ... The intention is to locate them in their cultural and human context, and pull back the veil on their hidden effects on history."

NCC suspends directive to increase data price

NCC has suspended its earlier directive to increase the price of data effective from December 1, 2016. The directive which was never made public has been suspended according to a press release by the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo.

BREAKING: Senate Orders NCC To Stop Planned Data Tariff Hike

The Senate on Wednesday asked the Nigerian Communications Commission to immediately stop planned data tariff hike.
The Senate said before any such hike could be announced all parties should be consulted.
Details later.