Ofulue, Ekuwem for eWorld broadband forum

Former Director of Training and Research at the Nigerian Telecommunications Plc, (NITEL), Prof. Joe Ofulue and President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, as well as the President of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) Mr. Lanre Ajayi have been lined up to present papers at the 2010 eWorld broadband forum.

The two-day event scheduled to hold in Lagos, between March 3 and 4, 2010, the organizers said, is an important forum to the overall plans to achieve the broadband objectives of the country.

They also said that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is bracing for the broadband forum being organized by eWorld Magazine, according to the Managing Editor, Mr. Aaron Ukodie.

For this reason, he said, industry stakeholders see the forum as crucial for the successful broadband implementation.

Mr. Ukodie, in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online, noted that careful planning was required to ensure that everyone is carried along in achieving the objectives of the forum, stressing that the March 2010 date was appropriate.

He quoted the President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, as saying that it would enable careful planning and involvement of all stakeholders.

According to Ekuwem, ATCON’s secretariat is set to mobilize all the over 200 member companies to support the forum.

The ATCON President was particularly thrilled by the range of issues and topics that eWorld has lined up for discussion, describing them as appropriate and focused.

President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) Mr. Lanre Ajayi while giving his group’s support to the eWorld Forum and has agreed to present a paper at the two-day event.

Equally lined up to present a paper at the eWorld Forum is Professor Joe Ofulue, former NITEL Director of Training and Research.

The eWorld two-day forum will also present opportunity for companies to exhibit products and services that are related to broadband.

Discussions are on with others among them notable international speakers to present a global perspective to the forum and help provide content to the Nigerian bid to develop its broadband services.

Stakeholders are naturally upbeat that 2010 will usher in the broadband revolution, but as it is commonly known wishes alone do not do the job. The Forum is being packaged by eWorld magazine, with support from industry stakeholders.

There are grey areas that must be looked at; a pathway that leads to fruitful deployment, especially on the national and users end must be well articulated.

He noted though the expected berthing of a number of undersea cables in the New Year signals a good prospect for broadband hope, the last mile end must be put in perspective.

“Already, Glo-1 is has anchored on Nigeria’s shore awaiting activation. WACS and MainOne are making speedy sail towards Nigeria. SAT-3, the old horse awaits its competitors,” part of the press statement read.

As said by Ukodie, plotting the pathway early enough in the year ensures that stakeholders do not grope in the various tasks in achieving the expectations of Nigerians.

“A headache-free e-buisness and all the expected e-transactions are premised on the coming developments, Ukodie noted.

Nigeria ’s broadband hope is in line with the focus of several developed countries, such as the United States , which is exploring the broadband route for economic revival.

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