Cloud computing to dominate IT spending – Gartner

0
inShare

The use of cloud computing is growing and by 2016, this growth will form the bulk of new Information Technology spending, according to Gartner’s latest report on the global IT market.
 2016 will be a defining year for cloud as private cloud begins to give way to hybrid cloud, and nearly half of large enterprises will have hybrid cloud deployments by the end of 2017, the firm said.
Gartner describes cloud computing as a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered “as a service,” using Internet technologies.
It heralds an evolution of business in positive and negative ways. It has also become a hot industry term that has been used in many contradictory ways.
The Research Vice-President at Gartner, Mr. Chris Howard, was quoted as saying, “Overall, there are very real trends toward cloud platforms, and also toward massively scalable processing.
“Virtualisation, service orientation and the Internet have converged to sponsor a phenomenon that enables individuals and businesses to choose how they’ll acquire or deliver IT services, with reduced emphasis on the constraints of traditional software and hardware licensing models.
“Services delivered through the cloud will foster an economy based on delivery and consumption of everything from storage, computation, video to finance deduction management.”
According to him, there is a flawed perception of cloud computing as one large phenomenon; as cloud computing is actually a spectrum of things complementing one another and building on a foundation of sharing.
He said inherent dualities in the cloud computing phenomenon were spawning divergent strategies for cloud computing success, adding that the public cloud, hybrid clouds and private clouds now dot the landscape of IT-based solutions.
“Because of that, the basic issues have moved from ‘what is cloud’ to ‘how will cloud projects evolve,’” he added.
Howard said a private cloud would get a lot of attention and had become the most popular form of cloud across various sectors.
However, the private cloud is not appropriate for all services and, while the majority of midsize and large enterprises will deploy private cloud services over the next few years, it will only be used for specific services.
“In India, cloud services revenue is projected to have a five-year projected compound annual growth rate of 33.2 per cent from 2012 through 2017 across all segments of the cloud computing market.
“Segments such as software as a service and infrastructure as a service have even higher projected CAGR growth rates of 34.4 per cent and 39.8 per cent,” Research Director at Gartner, Mr. Ed Anderson, was quoted as saying.
He said, “Cloud computing continues to grow at rates much higher than IT spending generally. Growth in cloud services is being driven by new IT computing scenarios being deployed using cloud models, as well as the migration of traditional IT services to cloud service alternatives.”
As enterprises build their cloud computing strategy, the programme should be broken down into two primary IT centric work streams, two supporting IT work streams and a strategic business work stream, the report indicated, adding that the two primary work streams are the enterprise as a consumer of cloud services, and the enterprise as a provider of cloud services.
The report said, “When the enterprise is a consumer, the focus is on the IT-related capabilities delivered as a service. The main goal is determining if, when, where, how and why cloud services should be used. The hardware and software used to implement the service are handled by the service provider and are not a concern of the consumer.
“When the enterprise is a provider (building a private cloud for instance), the focus shifts. Now the hardware, software and processes used to implement a cloud service are a primary focus. Service consumption only enters the equation to the extent a cloud service is used as part of the supply chain to develop and deliver the cloud service.”
The supporting enterprise work streams, according to the report, include securing, managing and governing cloud services, and building solutions based on cloud services.
It also stressed the need for software, appliances or services to be in place to facilitate the consumption and use of cloud service, adding that cloud solutions may use any combination of cloud infrastructure, platform, software, information or business process services.
The report stated, “A final work stream focuses on the business. Besides being a consumer of cloud services or a provider of cloud services to an internal audience, there are opportunities to use the cloud delivery model to provide services to customers and business partners.
“This represents an evolution of the enterprise’s market-facing website and Business-to-Business initiatives. IT should partner with the business to explore where the service delivery model, agility and elasticity attributes of the cloud style of computing support business optimisation and innovation.

Federal House of Reps Directed Immigration to Refund the N1000 Employment Form Fees to Job Seekers.

The House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to refund the N1,000 fee charged applicants in the on-going NIS recruitment exercise.

The Joint Committee on Public Service Matter, Employment, Labour and Productivity as well as Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values was mandated by the House to probe racketeering of job placement in the public service.

At the two-day public hearing yesterday, the committee decried the flagrant contravention of public service rules by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) , Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), among others, on recruitment.

Federal House of Reps Directed Immigration to Refund the N1000 Employment  Form Fees to Job Seekers

The three agencies were asked to return today, having failed to provide the committee with documents on the procedure for their recruitment.

The Nigeria Immigration Service provided conflicting documents, and failed to follow due process in its recruitment.
A document showed that 2,005 people were employed in 2011, with another putting the figure at 2,550. Both documents, however, did not record the qualifications of the new employees.

The House committee was shocked when Secretary to the Board of Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prison Service Board, Sylvanus Tapgun, the body responsible for recruitment into those agencies, said he did not know the bank account number into which the revenue generated from the sale of application forms was lodged.


He was also unable to tell the committee the company handling the collection of the forms, and failed too to give the number of forms sold.

Tapgun also claimed to be unaware of the House Representatives’ resolution urging the NIS to stop collecting fees for the employment forms.

"I did not place the advertisement; it was done by my predecessor. I don't know the account number. I resumed office on September 18, 2013. I read the minutes of the last meeting of the board in August and it was not about recruitment but promotion in Immigration and Prison Services," he said.

It was also discovered that the NCS flouted the rules by recruiting 5,595 in 2011 without approval from the Head of Service, according to the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Service, Ezekiel Oyemomi.

Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was granted a waiver to recruit 801 workers by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), but recruited 1,146.

Job Racketeering in the Public Service: Reps Vow To Expose Perpetrators

The House of Representatives on had vowed to unmask those behind job racketeering in Federal Government establishments and public service.

The Representatives declared that the situation had reached a point where drastic action must be taken.

The Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal made this known at an Investigative Hearing on alleged employment rackets in the public service organised by the Committee on Public Service Matters.

He said that the rip-off of job seekers by officials of agencies had reached "a level that it can no longer be glossed over".

He said that the House would go to any level to unmask those behind the bribe-for-job activity.

Tambuwal said, "I am glad that we are finally getting to the root of this very serious anomaly".

He commended the chairmen and members of the committees on public service matters, labour, employment and productivity, anti-corruption, national values and ethics for their efforts in organising hearing.

"It is tragic that in a nation with such a high degree of unemployment, people can be so heartless as to make job-seekers pay for the opportunity of contributing their quota to the development of their father-land. Copied from: www.hotnigerianjobs.com

"This means that however qualified they are, unless they can cough out the bribe, they won’t get the job; this situation cannot be allowed to continue.

"We are denying our youth the opportunity to provide our country with the right manpower.

"We are throwing away any chance we have of staffing our ministries and agencies with the calibre of people that can translate government policies into action".

He said "this attitude has far reaching consequences on the quality of our civil service, their ability to implement policies and programmes.

"As the major implementor of government policy, only a more transparent system of choosing those who work in the civil service can guarantee efficiency.

"As long as recruitment is done using parameters that undermine the Constitution, we cannot hope to make any real progress as a country," Tambuwal said.

The speaker said that as the representatives of the people, they were determined to defend every Nigerian from all kinds of extortion.

Nigeria to invest N35bn on airport infrastructure

Nigeria is investing N35 billion on airport infrastructure upgrade being among six nations in Africa currently infusing funds into infrastructure development and improving the lot of African airports to be at par with their counterparts worldwide. This is just as the country may introduce a token developmental charge to have return for investment once the projects are done.






The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi disclosed this yesterday while presenting a paper on Airport Regulation, from the Africa perspective at the Airport ongoing Council International Conference and Exhibition in Lome, Togo.
Uriesi said that many countries are investing in their infrastructure and some do not have the passenger figures to gain return for investment. Uriesi said that apart from Egypt and South Africa that have over 30 million passengers annually only eight African countries have a total passenger figure of above seven million.
He further said that in the context of 43 African countries only five have above 10million passengers while three have seven million, eight of those countries have between one and two million passengers and so on.
With this, he said passengers traffic in Africa is not enough to provide the funds for airport development and further explained that this may have led other countries including Tunisia, Mozambique, Togo, Tanzania and Senegal to also invest heavy funds to ensure rapid development in their airports.
Reeling out airport investment figures, Uriesi said that Togo with a passenger figure of 472,000 passengers is currently investing $150million while Zambia with 136 million passengers was investing about $460million and a green field of $500m. Of Nigeria he said, “particularly we are doing this investment without a corresponding airport development levy but I can’t guarantee that we will not put a small development levy.”

Yinka Ayefele's Band Members Disappear During USA Tour

From what is been heard, three of the band members of the celebrated artist disappeared at different times and locations while they were on a musical tour in the USA... Yinka Ayefele has returned to Nigeria and vowed that the three band members will not be allowed to re-join his band if the US immigration office is successful with catching-up with them and deporting them back to Nigeria.

Nigerian gospel singer Yinka Ayefele is still to recover from the shock that hit him on a recent trip to the United States of America. As usual the talented artist left the shores of Nigeria for a scheduled musical tour of America but to his surprise three of his faithful band members disappeared on reaching America. According to Ayefele, the 3 people left at different times and locations. He has since wrote the US Immigration officials to help track down these people and deport them. Here is an official Press release by Yinka Ayefele’s publicist:
The defectors are David Ajiboye, include Ojoyido Adegbenga Ezekiel (Keyboardist), Solomon Olugbenga Motimoke (Vocalist) and Olusola Kayode Isaac (vocalist). “While Olusola Kayode Isaac defected at the LaGuardiala Airport, New York on Monday, 14th October on his way from Houston with three other members of the band, Ojoyido Adegbenga was said to have disappeared from the group at the Howard Johnson Inn on Rockaway Boulevard, New York on Tuesday, 15th October. The third man was Solomon Motimoke (Yatty), who left the band while still at Washington DC on 11th October. Meanwhile, the heartbroken gospel artist has returned back to Nigeria. He arrived this last Tuesday. If these people were to be deported by the US immigration, they won’t come back to join the band ...Source

The Creepiest And Biggest Water Park You Have Ever Seen - North Korea

Talking about the biggest and creepiest water park you have ever seen, North Korea just built it in east Pyongyang. If you are someone who loves swimming or everything that has to do with a pool of water, then you have got to be wowed by this. Not only is the water park shiny all round, its filled with clean pool of water, constantly been cleaned and been watched on by lifeguards. For more on this

 
 
 
 
 
 

Kanye West defends bringing Jesus lookalike on stage

Kanye offended quite a number of people when he brought a Jesus lookalike on stage during the first stop of his Yeezy tour in Seattle on Saturday. Kanye now explains the method to his madness...

Kanye tells Wild 94.9 in San Fransico
"I had a friend of mine that is a pastor and we were discussing how we were going to deliver it. My girl even asked afterwards “isn’t that weird if Jesus comes on stage or something like that?” No we do plays all the time where people play Jesus. What’s awesome about Christianity is that we are allowed to portray God. We'e allowed to draw an image of Him. We’re allowed to make movies about Him. Other religions you can’t do that. Michelangelo did it…It’s a painting, it’s a sculpture, it’s a moving opera, it's a play, it’s a message. I’m not even going to do any comparisons with that. God knows where my heart is at."

The Oduahgate Scandal

Minister of Aviation and one of the trusted and close allies of President Goodluck Jonathan, Stella Oduah, is embroiled in an alleged corruption scandal involving over N225 million spent for the purchase of two BMW armoured vehicles.

One of the BMW 760 armored cars

These are clearly not the best of times for Stella Oduah, Nigeria’s aviation minister and one of the kitchen cabinet members of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Just smarting from the criticisms that trailed her ministry’s handling of the fallout of the various air crashes in which several Nigerians have lost their lives; Oduah is presently embroiled in allegations bothering on corruption and profl igacy. She is being alleged to have forced Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), one of the parastatals under her ministry to purchase two BMW armoured vehicles worth over the N225 million for her personal use.
An online news medium, SaharaReporters, had reported on Tuesday last week that the armoured vehicles were delivered to the minister in August.
The medium reported that documents in its possession showed that the transaction for the purchase of the two BMW cars started in June, but the request for the delivery and payment for them was fast-tracked between August 13 and 15, 2013. The transaction involved the NCAA, First Bank of Nigeria, and Coscharis Motors Limited and according to the report, the two black BMW 760 Li HSS vehicles with chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044, were reportedly delivered to the NCAA on August 13, 2013. They were received by two store managers, F. Onoabhagbe and Y. A. Amzat, who is also the agency’s head of transport.”
When the lid was fi rst blown off the alleged purchases, the ministry and offi cials of the NCAA attempted to discountenance the report but were forced to recant later when it dawned on them that all the facts relating to the transaction had been leaked to the press.
In what a source admitted to be a volte face, Special Assistant to the Minister on media, Joe Obi, later admitted that the cars in question were purchased for her principal but stressed that the security vehicles were procured for the “use of the offi ce of the honorable minister in response to the clear and imminent threat to her personal security and life following the bold steps she took to reposition the sector.”’
According to Obi, when Oduah came on board as the minister, she inherited a lot of baggage in terms of the concession and lease agreements in the sector, which were clearly not in the interest of the government and people of Nigeria. And so, she took bold steps and some of these agreements were reviewed while some were terminated, and these moves disturbed some entrenched interests in the sector, and within this period, she began to receive some imminent threats to her life; therefore, the need for the vehicles.
Obi however added that the vehicles were not “personal vehicles and were not procured in the name of the honorable minister; they are utility vehicles and are for the offi ce of the minister, and if she leaves the offi ce, she will not be taking the vehicles along with her.”
Interestingly, coming on the heels of what is being perceived as offi cial profl igacy is the report that most of the agencies under Oduah’s ministry have virtually been living from hands to mouth and in most cases, unable to buy critical equipment and send its staff for important training.
The NCAA particularly has been under fi re lately over a series of mishaps and near crashes involving planes being operated by domestic airlines that were certifi ed fi t for fl ight operations by its personnels. There have also been rumors that the NCAA does not have enough funds to upgrade its equipment, send its employees for critical training and hire enough qualifi ed hands, while questions are also being raised by industry watchers on the ability of the cash-strapped agency to procure such expensive vehicles.
Though the NCAA’s Director- General, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, had consistently denied the claims of being cash-strapped, highly reliable industry sources told Business Courage at the weekend that some of the agency’s personnel currently training in Manchester, United Kingdom, embarked on the training with their own funds. Besides, Akinkuotu himself is said to have been spending his personal funds for most of the travels.
Interestingly, aviation sources say the claim that the agencies under the ministry are indeed broke may be true after all.
A source close to the Ministry of Aviation told our correspondent that the controversial armoured vehicles may have been bought on credit. According to the source who preferred anonymity, First Bank of Nigeria Plc stood as a guarantor for the agency with Coscharis Motors Limited.
Apart from the two armoured vehicles, NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, about four months ago purchased about 800 different brands of vehicles, including Hilux Pick- Up for their top personnel and even the minister.
It was gathered that FAAN, in the fi rst phase, procured over 250 vehicles for managers ranging from assistant general managers, deputy general managers, general managers and directors. 2013 Toyota Corolla cars were purchased for assistant general managers, deputy general managers and general managers while Land Cruiser Prado were purchased for directors in the agency.
In the second phase, same brands of vehicles in their hundreds were also purchased by FAAN for its personnel, just as NCAA also procured same brands of vehicles for its staff on credit, believed to have been fi nanced by First Bank.
Interestingly, the controversial bulletproof vehicles scandal has now turned the heat on Oduah, whose supervisory role in the ministry and the spate of air mishaps have continued to attract stringent criticisms.
Leader of the Anti-Corruption Network, ACN, Dino Melaye, said his organisation had conducted investigation into the matter and found out that there was no threat to the minister’s life as claimed by his media aide.
Melaye also said the vehicles could have been purchased for far less the amount they were purportedly procured. “There are two questions to ask – was the N225 million appropriated by the National Assembly? Does the purchase of the vehicles not negate the monetisation policy, which says that only the President, Vice president, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, their deputies and a few other public offi cials should have offi cial cars? If she does not fall into this category, why did they purchase the vehicles for her?
“They claim there was a threat to her life. There was no threat to Stella Oduah’s life. Even if there was a threat, we have done our investigation and we discovered that those vehicles cost less than N100 million.
“You are spending N225 million at a time you claim there is no money for ASUU, at a time you cannot pay statutory allocations to states. Jonathan administration is the most corrupt administration in Nigeria,” he said.
Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener of Say No Campaign, Nigeria, SNCN, asked the antigraft agencies to wade into the scandal immediately, insisting that the NCAA offi cer(s), who authorised the release of the money, should be penalized.
“We have lost about 200 citizens to sheer incompetence and add salt to injury, we are being told that a cashstrapped agency under her had to cough out that amount of money to provide armoured vehicles. In saner climes, she would have resigned. But here we are treated to half truths and excuses.
“What is important now is that an independent inquiry should be set up to look into the happenings in the aviation sector. We cannot be deceived by the so-called reforms. When you renovate 11 airports at the same time, the implication is that it is a honey-pot, after the petroleum sector.
“We must as a matter of urgency beam our searchlight on happenings in the sector. It is not enough to go round media houses. What Nigerian want now is an independent inquiry into the activities in the sector.
Nwagwu lamented that the Jonathan’s administration kept treating corruption with kid gloves, especially by allegedly shielding Oduah and the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“These are two ministers that can never do wrong in this government,” he said.
Auwal Musa Rasfanjani, Executive Director, Centre for Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, expressed worry over the fl agrant abuse of public offi ce, corruption, impunity and constant disregard of public procurement law by some ministers and other public offi cers under the supervision of President Jonathan.
“We are particularly concerned over the Minister of Aviation who runs the Ministry of Aviation like a personal and private entity.
“Many Nigerians express worries for the various allegations of corrupt practices and outright looting in the name of renovating our airports and the recent scandal of purchasing bullet proof cars without due process and also the allegation of refusal of landing permit to some international airlines who applied but were denied the permit because they did not give bribe to her.
“It is also on record that the National Assembly had conducted a public hearing which found her guilty but yet no sanction was taken against her due to her connection to the President.
“If buying the bullet proof cars is for her own security, then we don’t understand why she doesn’t pay more attention to the safety of millions of Nigerian passengers travelling within the country every year,” he said.
Rasfanjani demanded outright probe of the minister, saying this becomes necessary “in order to bring sanity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, and safety to our aviation industry which is now being characterized by corruption and impunity under the auspices of the Minister of Aviation.”
This, he said, will serve as a deterrent to other ministers and public offi cers who abuse the trust of their offi ce.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, through its Assistant General Secretary, Muhammed Tukur, described the purchase of the bulletproof cars as unfortunate, saying it showed the high level of corruption in Nigeria.
“This shows how bad things have gone in this country; that the minister has admitted to receiving the cars from the NCAA reveals that they do not care for the people of this country.
“We can see that all these people and parastatals use their offi ces to siphon funds for anything they want. We think there is no other option but for her (Oduah) to resign her appointment as the aviation minister.
“Also, we call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to thoroughly investigate the issue, because, some of us had foresight of these things, and we know that there are more coming up soon.”
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, said the ‘necessary government agencies’ should not hesitate to prosecute anyone found to have played a role in the purchase of the bulletproof cars.
“We have government agencies that can look into such issues as this such as the EFCC. So, these agencies should look into the matter, and if they fi nd out that it is indeed true, they should take the appropriate action,” according to its national President, Ben Okewu.
Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, noted that Oduah, in order to satisfy her ostentatious lifestyle, had by accepting the cars compromised the safety of Nigerians.
“When the minister asked NCAA to buy her bulletproof cars worth $1.6m because of alleged threats to her life, where did she expect them to get the money?
“She expected them to compromise standard of course. It is now clear that the frequent air accidents are products of corruption and incompetence in our aviation sector.”
It would be recalled that several of the air crashes that have occurred in recent times have been partly attributed to human error, occasioned by incompetence and lack of adequate technical know-how on the part of the aviation offi cials.
In June 2012, a Dana Air crashed in Lagos killing 163 people while the Associated Airlines crash of October 3, 2013, also in Lagos, claimed 15 lives.
A day after the Associated Airlines’ crash, a Kabo Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 plane carrying 512 pilgrims made an emergency landing at the Sokoto airport with defl ated tires and damaged the airport’s Instrument Landing System.
An IRS Airlines Fokker 100 plane carrying 99 passengers also made an emergency landing at the Kaduna airport last Sunday, after developing hydraulic problems mid-air.
Four days after the tragic crash involving Associated Airlines’ Embraer 120 plane, Oduah had described air accidents as God’s will that were inevitable.” She said notwithstanding this reality, the Federal Government would continue to ensure that there were no accidents.
Interestingly, earlier before the bulletproof car scandal blew open, a body that calls itself the Patriots in a petition signed by one Rose Ibekaku had called for the immediate sack of the minister after accusing her of corruption, incompetence and negligence of duties.
Ibekaku in the letter to the Presidency accused Oduah of collecting N158 monthly from the accounts of aviation agencies like the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, NCAA, FAAN and other agencies under her.
Ibekaku, in the petition ,alleged that the deductions had successfully crippled the operations of the agencies concerned to the extent that paying staff entitlements has recently become a herculean task. Oduah was also alleged to have a stake in Price Waters Coopers, PWC, which audited various aspects of four agencies at N250m each.
However, the Secretary General of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, Comrade Abdulkareem Motajo, said that what is happening in the sector now is not novel to the unions.
According to him, NUATE had severally in the past written petitions to the Presidency, National Assembly and other agencies without any action taken by the government.
He insisted that Oduah should not be removed, but should be probed by the security agencies in the country, alleging that the industry has been ran aground by the minister. “What is happening is part of what we have been saying in recent time. What is going on today is unprecedented. A lot of things are happening.
“Somebody was talking about the diversion of N19.5bn intervention fund and somehow today, the security agencies are looking into that and the money has been traced to somewhere.
“My union has written a petition to the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation over some of the ills happening in the sector till date and not even an acknowledgement was given and if this thing continues like this, you can be rest assured that the sector is not safe and the industry is going to be looted continuously like this.
“As we speak, none of the six parastatals has been able to send its staff for training and others. They owe months of such allowances and leave allowances have not been paid to staff. They are just going from hand to mouth to pay salaries. The minister is taking over N150m per month from each of the Chief Executive Offi cers and on what grounds we don’t understand,” he said.
Adeniran however believes that “the chicken has now come home to roost. It is no longer surprising that the Minister could ascribe her incompetence to God.
“When she asked the NCAA to get her bulletproof cars worth $1.6m (N255m) because of threats to her life, where did she expect them to get the money? She expected them to compromise standard of course! “It is now clear that the frequent air accidents are products of corruption and incompetence in our aviation sector.
“This is the NCAA that does not have enough funds to upgrade its equipment, send its employees for critical training and hire enough qualifi ed hands.
“The truth remains that if NCAA is doing a proper job and not collecting bribes to satisfy the ostentatious lifestyle of Stella Oduah, they would have been able to avert some of these accidents. With proper safety regulations in place, the frequency of air crashes can be drastically reduced,” he said.
For now, no one is sure how the current dust will settle. Will it consume Oduah or will she come out unscathed? Time will tell.

ICT and politics: New vista of opportunities for democracy

The truth and reality about technology is that it has changed the game of life forever. If you want to know how obsolete a trend or an idea can quickly become, try to keep up with the ever-changing realities of the ICT world. For me as a person, it is all about solutions – how can Nigeria as a nation, graduate from being only a consumer in the ICT world to becoming a producer of hardware, software as well as a content generator?
Be that as it may, I wish to focus on ICT and how it brings about a host of other opportunities in the political arena of the country. Very soon, the political climate of Nigeria will become agog with the frenzy of political campaigns, meetings and scheming’s in preparation of the 2015 general elections and it most likely that the current trends in ICT will take a front seat in the tools that will be utilised in these campaigns etc.
Away from campaigns, of further importance for the electorate, I am of the school of thought that ICT remains an effective weapon in tackling and stemming political fraud once and for all if there is a political will to do so. There is a lot of voter apathy in Nigeria with a good number of the electorate choosing to stay out of the voting process as they are resigned to the fact that those they have passionately voted for in the past have disappointed them by looting the treasury in mind bugling fraud cases.  This is the case in other parts of the world too. In most democracies across Europe, there is a growing climate of dissatisfaction with governments and their traditional methods of policy formulation.  For example, In the UK’s 2001 general election only 59% voted, a fall of 12% from the previous election in 1997, when about 71% voted, and the 2001 figures was the lowest turnout since 1918 (Cabinet Office 2002).

However, the negative effects of globalization, especially the global economic meltdown of the previous decades saw a marked increase of interest of the electorate in governments’ activities and decision making process in the Western world. People now want to have a greater say in how they are being governed.  Even the American public started showing significant increased interest in government activities especially after the 911 terrorist attacks. Both the governments and the citizens in these countries are now turning to ICT as tools for endearing greater participation by the citizenry for enhancing efficiency, approval and legitimacy of political processes.
Nigeria may not be too far removed from this global mass participation.  Events of the oil subsidy protests of January 2012 cannot be divorced from the influence of ICT.  Even in Asia and the Middle East, places that are renowned for their high level of media censorship, major telling cracks are beginning to emerge in the wall.  The role of the ICT in the Arab Spring is the subject of a growing library of discuss and publications too vast to mention here.
In some cases, ICT has been of major influence in trans-national political mobilizations that helps impoverished and remote communities in developing countries in combating global challenges like climate change, multi-national crime syndicates, and other social challenges such as trafficking of women and young girls for sex trade, thus changing the dynamics of international relations and politics. Increased and improved access to the digital space through internet based platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Yahoo and other discussion platforms is enhancing an international network of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, and Community Based Organisations, CBOs, in bringing human rights and other social issues to the fore front of political discuss and agitations in their various countries.
In India for example, local NGOs are engaging the usual internet based platforms to make direct political demands in combating the menace of trafficking of women and young girls for sex trade. They are using ICT to gain international support for the power and authority to demand change in the form of stringent measures to combat the menace, and more effective policies and laws to protect the rights and welfare of women and children in these poor and vulnerable communities.
However, the effective use of ICT for political mobilization has not remained the exclusive prerogative of the Civil Society Organization community.  The internet has been harnessed by political representatives in advanced democracies since the mid-1990s. Initially, the internet was host to static pages containing information about politicians and political parties. Since 2004, however, politicians took up the initiative in robust online campaigns, matching the best examples of citizen-led activism, with politicians in the US pioneering most of the innovative practices now associated with online campaigning.  Deploying the best of Web 2.0 (the second generation of web design that enables the two-way flow of information, encouraging user generated content), political parties and candidates now have websites that combines several key functions; providing a direct link between voters and candidates, allowing citizens to have a greater input into the political agenda of their parties and representatives, improve citizen access to political events, and are cheaper than broadcast and print media. The use to which President Obama of the USA deployed the use of ICT in his campaigns to win the 2008 elections is a vivid example of how far ICT can take a committed individuals seeking elective positions.
View Source
Join thousands of Nigerian who use Ngcareers to discover new vacancies that interest them, follow updates on their career areas. Go here to Start Using Ngcareers FREE

45 Latest Jobs

• Join Manpower Nigeria, the fastest way to be found by Employers in Nigeria
• How to Write a Brief But Powerful and Standard Cover Letter
• 5 Tips on How to Write, a Better Fresh Graduate Resume / CV
• Top 10 CV Mistakes Graduates Make and Ways To Avoid Them
• Why 90% of Job Seekers Never Get Invited For An Interview
• Junior Call Center Agent at Kiote Services Limited
• Graduate Customer Care Officer at Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria
• Data Centre Project Manager at Adexen Recruitment Agency
• Statistical Systems Coordinator at OPEC
• Statistical Systems Analyst at OPEC
• Fiscal Policy Analyst at OPEC
• Regional Trade Marketing (North Region) at RS Hunter Limited
• Marketing Manager (Media & Entertainment) at RS Hunter Limited
• Electrical Engineer at First Choice Global Engineering & Consultancy Limited
• St. Andrew`s Hospital Job Vacancies (4 Positions)
• Geoscience Database Administrator at WTS Energy
• Nigeria Immigration Service Massive Graduate Recruitment 2013
• How to Apply for the Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment 2013
• Federal Ministry of Interior Massive Recruitment 2013
• Nigeria Immigration Service O`Level Immigration Assistant Recruitment 2013
• Nigeria Immigration Service Entry Level Assistant Inspector Recruitment 2013
• Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc Executive Trainees Recruitment 2013
• Meadow Hall School Graduate Teachers Trainee Programme 2013
• Anambra State Ministry of Education Massive Recruitment (Over 60 Positions)
• Ekiti State Government Postgraduate, Undergraduate, and Physically Challenged Scholarship and Bursary Awards for 2012/2013 Academic Session
• British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN)/ BAT Iseyin Agronomy (BATIA) 2013/2014 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme
• Agip Nigeria Post Graduate Scholarship Award Scheme for 2013/2014 Session
• Graduate Trainee Recruitment 2014 at PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC)
• Nigerian Army List of Successful Candidates for Direct Short Service Commission Course 21 / 2013
• Nigerian Army List of Successful Candidates for 2013 Short Service Commission Course 42
• Sokoto State University Massive Recruitment for Academic and Administrative Staff Vacancies (Over 60 Positions)
• Masssive Recruitment for Academic and Non-Teaching Staff Vacancies at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Over 150 Positions)
• Sence Limited Nigeria Graduate and Experienced Job Recruitment (Over 20 Positions)
• Engineering Training for Fresh & Experienced Graduates - ATS Allied Group
• Executive Assistant at Rainbow Foundation
• Graduate Inventory Assistant at Rainbow Foundation
• Marketing Support Executive at JNC International
• Vendor Liaison Officer at Rainbow Foundation
• Fundraising Officer at Rainbow Foundation
• Logistic Assistant at Rainbow Foundation
• Accountants at a Waste Management Company
• Guest House Supervisor at Bible Society of Nigeria
• Van Sales Representatives in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Company
• Business Development Manager in a Leading Mortgage Bank - Lagos, Abuja, Ogun
• GE Nigeria Job Vacancies (10 Positions) - Oil & Gas

Join Manpower Nigeria, the fastest way to be found by Employers in Nigeria Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:14 PM PDT Job Search has never been easy in Nigeria. This is the opportunity job seekers have been waiting for; a place where all job seekers in Nigeria have an equal chance of being found by employers! Are you in the Nigerian labor market? Do you have a skill? Are you ready to work? Manpower Nigeria is for you. Take advantage of this opportunity provided by Manpower Nigeria to market yourself to needy organizations and Employers of labor.

How to Write a Brief But Powerful and Standard Cover Letter Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:47 PM PDT Cover letter is always been a brief way to introduce and sell yourself (and your CV) to the recruiter. But finding a distinct and well written cover letter is not easy to come by as many job seekers either do not know how to write one or don`t give the time they should to writing one. Below are some tips on what to do and what to avoid in creating a captivating cover letter for any of your job applications.

5 Tips on How to Write, a Better Fresh Graduate Resume / CV Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:35 PM PDT Writing the resume and cover letter is one step in what can be an overwhelming job search process, but it creates the first impression that will lead you to your desired position. A poorly written resume will only find its place in the trash; a well-written resume can land you an interview, and then, a job.

Top 10 CV Mistakes Graduates Make and Ways To Avoid Them Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:27 PM PDT We have questioned graduate employers about their top reasons for rejecting graduate CVs and these are the results. Commit any of these top ten CV sins at your peril!

Why 90% of Job Seekers Never Get Invited For An Interview Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:20 PM PDT You submitted countless application to various companies but was yet to be invited to a lone job interview. Well you don`t need to worry all you need is to get somethings right. Based on research and experience we have distilled a list of reasons that make recruiting companies select a few CVs and reject others. So quickly we have listed short points below on reasons why your application is being ignored.

Junior Call Center Agent at Kiote Services Limited Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:50 PM PDT Kiote Services Limited is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Junior Call Center Agent. Interested candidates should possess OND/HND/BSc in any discipline

Graduate Customer Care Officer at Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Posted: 18 Oct 2013 02:36 AM PDT Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Customer Care Officer. Interested candidates should possess graduate qualification in a relevant discipline. and should be computer literate

Data Centre Project Manager at Adexen Recruitment Agency Posted: 18 Oct 2013 05:18 AM PDT Adexen Recruitment Agency is mandated by a new start-up Data Centre company to recruit a Data Centre Project Manager. Interested candidates should possess HND/BSc in any discipline with relevant work experience

Statistical Systems Coordinator at OPEC Posted: 18 Oct 2013 04:43 AM PDT OPEC is recruiting to fill the position of: Statistical Systems Coordinator. Interested candidates should possess University degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Operational Research or Economics with a minimum of Ten years experience.

Statistical Systems Analyst at OPEC Posted: 18 Oct 2013 04:26 AM PDT OPEC is recruiting to fill the position of: Statistical Systems Analyst. Interested candidates should possess University degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Operational Research or Economics with a minimum of Eight years experience.

Fiscal Policy Analyst at OPEC Posted: 18 Oct 2013 04:17 AM PDT OPEC is recruiting to fill the position of: Fiscal Policy Analyst. Interested candidates should possess a University degree (advanced degree preferred) in Economics, Energy Economics, Finance with a minimum of eight years experience.

Regional Trade Marketing (North Region) at RS Hunter Limited Posted: 18 Oct 2013 03:50 AM PDT RS Hunter Limited is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Regional Trade Marketing (North Region). Interested candidates should be degree qualified in a relevant discipline with 7 years post qualification experience

Marketing Manager (Media & Entertainment) at RS Hunter Limited Posted: 18 Oct 2013 03:42 AM PDT RS Hunter Limited is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Marketing Manager (Media & Entertainment). Interested candidates should possess graduate qualification in a relevant discipline with 6 years post qualification experience

Electrical Engineer at First Choice Global Engineering & Consultancy Limited Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:52 PM PDT First Choice Global Engineering & Consultancy Limited (FCGECL), is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Electrical Engineer. Interested candidates should possess BSc in Electrical Engineering or related field with a minimum of 3 years of experience.

St. Andrew`s Hospital Job Vacancies (4 Positions) Posted: 18 Oct 2013 03:33 AM PDT St. Andrew`s Hospital is recruiting to fill the vacant positions of: Doctors, Nurses (RN/RM), Pharmacy Technicians, Medical Laboratory Technicians. Interested candidates should be relevantly qualified for the positions applied for

Geoscience Database Administrator at WTS Energy Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:55 PM PDT WTS Energy is recruiting on behalf of its client(s) an E&P Multinational Company to fill the position of: Geoscience Database Administrator. Interested candidates should possess degree in any of the Engineering disciplines, Geo-sciences: Geology, Geophysics or Surveying and Applied Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Computer Science with a minimum of Five years oil and gas industry experience.

Nigeria Immigration Service Massive Graduate Recruitment 2013 Posted: 09 Sep 2013 11:45 AM PDT Nigeria Immigration Service, under the Federal Ministry of Interior, hereby invites applications from suitably qualified Nigerians by birth or descent for full-time appointment to the vacant position of Assistant Superintendent of Immigration. Interested candidates should possess at least graduate qualification.

How to Apply for the Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment 2013 Posted: 23 Sep 2013 04:50 AM PDT The Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment 2013 is still in progress and it seems that a good number of people are still having difficulties applying for these Nigeria Immigration Service positions advertised via the Federal Ministry of Interior. Below are the steps for everyone to follow:

Federal Ministry of Interior Massive Recruitment 2013 Posted: 09 Sep 2013 12:14 PM PDT Fire Service, Immigration Service, Prisons Service Board and Civil Defence, under the Federal Ministry of Interior, hereby invite applications from suitably qualified persons for full-time appointment to the following vacant positions above:

Nigeria Immigration Service O`Level Immigration Assistant Recruitment 2013 Posted: 09 Sep 2013 06:07 AM PDT Nigeria Immigration Service, under the Federal Ministry of Interior, hereby invites applications from suitably qualified Nigerians for full-time appointment to the vacant position in the Nigeria Immigration Service Inspectorate Cadre: Immigration Assistant. All applicants for the rank of Immigration Assistant must be holders of at least GCE `O` Level.

Nigeria Immigration Service Entry Level Assistant Inspector Recruitment 2013 Posted: 09 Sep 2013 06:04 AM PDT Nigeria Immigration Service, under the Federal Ministry of Interior, hereby invites applications from suitably qualified Nigerians for full-time appointment to the vacant position in the Nigeria Immigration Service Inspectorate Cadre: Assistant Inspector. Applicants for the rank of Assistant Inspector must be holders of OND obtained from a recognized institution or GCE A Level in two subjects obtained at a sitting or three subjects obtained at two sittings.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc Executive Trainees Recruitment 2013 Posted: 17 Oct 2013 04:47 AM PDT Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, a foremost player in General Business & Special Risks with Head Office in Lagos and several branch office across the Country. As part of our expansion plans, we are currently recruiting Executive Trainees for various sections of the business in Nigeria, and require self motivated individuals with a vision to excel, to join our workforce. Interested candidates should possess minimum of first degree or HND qualification from a reputable institution.

Meadow Hall School Graduate Teachers Trainee Programme 2013 Posted: 16 Oct 2013 11:22 PM PDT Meadow Hall School is recruiting Fresh Graduates for its Graduate Teacher Trainee Programme 2014. It is a teacher training and development programme aimed at young graduates passionate about the teaching profession.

Anambra State Ministry of Education Massive Recruitment (Over 60 Positions) Posted: 16 Oct 2013 11:17 PM PDT Anambra State Ministry of Education hereby invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for appointments into the State teaching services in Secondary Schools Teachers and Vocational Teachers. Teachers are needed in various disciplines/subjects.

Ekiti State Government Postgraduate, Undergraduate, and Physically Challenged Scholarship and Bursary Awards for 2012/2013 Academic Session Posted: 17 Oct 2013 04:36 AM PDT Ekiti State Government hereby invites prospective candidates for their Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Physically Challenged Scholarship and Bursary Awards for 2012/2013 Academic Session.

British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN)/ BAT Iseyin Agronomy (BATIA) 2013/2014 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme Posted: 15 Oct 2013 05:11 AM PDT British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), in conjunction with British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy (BATIA) invites applications from qualified Nigerian undergraduates, for the 2013/2014 Scholarship Scheme.

Agip Nigeria Post Graduate Scholarship Award Scheme for 2013/2014 Session Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:24 AM PDT Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited (NAE), on behalf of the NNPC/NAE/OANDO PSC, is committed to the training and development of manpower as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. NAE invites applications from suitably qualified and interested Nigerian graduates for the 2013/2014 Post Graduate Scholarship Award Scheme in Nigerian and Overseas Universities.

Graduate Trainee Recruitment 2014 at PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:39 AM PDT PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) Nigeria is recruiting Fresh Graduates for its Trainee Recruitment Program 2014. The program begins with a structured eight week induction course. A coach who will play an important role in your career development will be made available to help you unlock your potentials, so that you can perform at your best.

Nigerian Army List of Successful Candidates for Direct Short Service Commission Course 21 / 2013 Posted: 14 Oct 2013 12:50 AM PDT The Nigerian Army has released the list of admitted candidates for the Direct Short Service Commission Course 21/2013. The underlisted candidates were successful at the Direct Short Service Commission Selection Board 2013 and are to report for officer cadet training at the Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, on:

Nigerian Army List of Successful Candidates for 2013 Short Service Commission Course 42 Posted: 14 Oct 2013 12:37 AM PDT The Nigerian Army has released the list of admitted candidates for Short Service Combatant (SSC) Course 42/2013. The underlisted candidates were successful at the Short Service Combatant Selection Board 2013 and are to report for officer cadet training at the old site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, on:

Sokoto State University Massive Recruitment for Academic and Administrative Staff Vacancies (Over 60 Positions) Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:32 AM PDT Sokoto State University invites applications from suitably qualified applicants to fill various positions in the following Academic and Administrative Departments.

Masssive Recruitment for Academic and Non-Teaching Staff Vacancies at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Over 150 Positions) Posted: 13 Oct 2013 06:27 AM PDT Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following academic and non-teaching vacant positions in the University

Sence Limited Nigeria Graduate and Experienced Job Recruitment (Over 20 Positions) Posted: 11 Oct 2013 04:30 AM PDT Skill Enhancement Centre (SENCE) Limited is recruiting on behalf of its client, a leading and established Information Communications and Technology Services company to fill various Graduate and Experienced positions currently available in the company. As a result of growth and operational expansion, applications are hereby welcomed from resourceful individuals to fill the following understated positions:

Engineering Training for Fresh & Experienced Graduates - ATS Allied Group Posted: 11 Oct 2013 05:18 AM PDT Engineering is all about Technical Exposure. ATS Allied Group is running training on the following departments: Piping, Pipeline, Mechanical, Instrumentation, Electrical, Structures and Process Engineering designs. Participants would also be trained on the relevant software packages in their particular departments, amongst are AutoCAD, Microstation, Plant Design Management System (PDMS), Plant Design System (PDS), Smartplant, CADWorx, STAADpro, SACS, INTools, ETAPS etc. Participants would be equipped with the necessary skills and techniques required of an experienced engineer. Engineering is Technical. Need A Job? Come Get Technical.

Executive Assistant at Rainbow Foundation Posted: 17 Oct 2013 09:13 AM PDT Rainbow Foundation is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Executive Assistant. Interested candidates should possess BSC in any field but preferably secretarial Administration or any management degree course with at least 3 years experience.

Graduate Inventory Assistant at Rainbow Foundation Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:40 PM PDT Rainbow Foundation is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Inventory Assistant. Interested candidates should possess graduate qualification in a relevant discipline.

Marketing Support Executive at JNC International Posted: 17 Oct 2013 09:07 AM PDT JNC International is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Marketing Support Executive. Interested candidates should possess HND or BSc in relevant discipline.

Vendor Liaison Officer at Rainbow Foundation Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:43 PM PDT Rainbow Foundation is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Vendor Liaison Officer. Interested candidates should possess graduate qualification in a relevant discipline.

Fundraising Officer at Rainbow Foundation Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:45 PM PDT Rainbow Foundation is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Fundraising Officer. Interested candidates should possess HND/BSc/B.A/B.Eng/B.Tech in a relevant discipline.

Logistic Assistant at Rainbow Foundation Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:48 PM PDT Rainbow Foundation is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Logistic Assistant. Interested candidates should possess minimum of graduate qualification.

Accountants at a Waste Management Company Posted: 17 Oct 2013 03:28 AM PDT A leading hydrocarbon contaminated waste Management company requires the services of proactive ,resourceful and dedicated individuals fill the position of: Accountants. Interested candidates should possess B.Sc Accountancy/ (HND) with at least 5 years working experience.

Guest House Supervisor at Bible Society of Nigeria Posted: 17 Oct 2013 03:26 AM PDT The Bible Society of Nigeria is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Guest House Supervisor. Interested candidate should possess a National Diploma in Catering and Hotel Management or Business Administration with at least 3 years relevant experience.

Van Sales Representatives in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Company Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:59 AM PDT A reputable Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Company is recruiting to fill the vacant position of: Van Sales Representatives - Port Harcourt, Owerri and Onitsha. Interested candidate should possess an OND/HND/BSC in Marketing or any Social Sciences with a minimum of 5 years working experience.

Business Development Manager in a Leading Mortgage Bank - Lagos, Abuja, Ogun Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:53 AM PDT A leading Mortgage Bank with locations across the country requires the services of proactive ,resourceful, honest, business-driven and innovative individuals fill the position of: Business Development Manager in the following locations; Lagos, Abuja, Ogun. Interested candidates should possess a good first degree with at least 7 years experience.

GE Nigeria Job Vacancies (10 Positions) - Oil & Gas Posted: 16 Oct 2013 04:13 AM PDT GE, a world leader in advanced technologies and services with 35,000 employees in more than 100 countries supporting customers across the industry-from extraction to transportation to end use. GE Nigeria is currently recruiting to fill the following under-listed positions: