Seriki

The local computer software and applications industry is one of Nigeria's most ignored but ironically acknowledged sector. There is no doubt that the Nigerian ICT market is heavily dominated by foreign companies who have gained both financially and in terms of brand acceptance. In January this year, the Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), sought to put in place a National Software Policy “that can stand the test of time and adequately position softwares made in Nigeria at the forefront of global ICT market” as emphasised by Professor Cleopas Angaye, Director General NITDA. Even in the face of this daunting challenge, an ICT firm in Nigeria has proved its worth and stood the test of time.

“The customer is king,” is the popular saying that justifies the superiority of consumers in the market place. A consumer is anybody who buys products or services where it is expected that such a person gets the best from the product or services paid for. Among other things, a consumer is naturally entitled to some basic rights, which include the right to Satisfaction of Basic Needs, the right to safety, the right to information, the right to choose, the right to redress, the right to consumer education, the right to consumer representation and the right to a healthy environment.

Last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) came up with the idea of cashless economy, with the aim of reducing the cost of producing cash, reducing the cost of transporting and securing cash, opening door for International marketing in Nigeria and bringing the unbanked and under-banked Nigerians into the banking system. The CBN also frowned at the high usage of cash for settlements, which it said results in high costs for banks and other stakeholders. The policy is to begin as from June 2012; however, a pilot implementation was slated for Lagos much earlier, code-named "Cash-less Lagos," which eventually took off in January.

As part of efforts to promote Nigeria's socio economic development, the British American Tobacco Foundation (BATNF) has built and handed over a Poultry Enterprise Development Project to the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) for management and sustainability.

The Manufacturer Associations of Nigeria (MAN) and the Public Relations Consultants Associations of Nigeria (PRCAN) are forming a strategic knowledge alliance to improve the human resource capabilities of their members.

Owing a car in Nigeria is still a big thing. For most folks, affording a car is a sign that poverty has been conquered. The arrival of a car in a family is often celebrated with the glee and fanfare that characterise the birth of a male child in the traditional African family. Nigerians are party-loving people and when a car arrives, parties follow, neighbours are called and even the “enemies” are taunted prayerfully as having lost the battle.

Stakeholders at the youth empowerment programme recently organised by Healing Heart Foundation (HHF) in Lagos, have identified entrepreneurship as a way to liberty from the caprices of financial hardship.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, is collaborating with National Association of Social Work Students (NASWS) under the department of Sociology University of Lagos (UNILAG) to donate the company’s products to care homes in Akoka and Idi-Araba areas of Lagos.