The Third African Banking Technology Conference, hosted by AITEC Africa, will hold at the Eko Hotel, Lagos (Nigeria) between May 6 and 8, 2008. The theme of the conference is Competing in a Borderless World. Mr Valentine Obi, CEO of eTranzact, said: “This conference represents an opportunity for Nigeria’s booming financial sector to assess latest technologies, both local and international, that will help increase productivity and profitability and improve clients’ service. We are pleased to be associated with an event that is going to provide world-class briefings for the sector’s decision-makers.”

Charles Nwodo, CEO of XL, said: “Having worked with AITEC in the past, we know they will deliver a world-class event and we are confident that by participating in it we will reach key decision-makers in the banking industry.” Sean Moroney, Chairman of AITEC, welcomed the support from these initial sponsors: “In all the events we hold, we like to work with all key stake-holders in order to serve the educational needs of the industry as a whole. We will be offering an extensive information and networking programme, attracting international and local experts to brief the participants.”

Speakers and topics confirmed for the conference so far include:
• Deon van Heerden, VP MEA Sales & SA Country Manager, Clickatell, South Africa: The mobile device as next generation channel for banks: A case study
• ‘Gbenga Sesan, ED, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria: The Other Side of Improved Teledensity: Cybercrime Threats to Mobile Banking
• Barry Coetzee, MD, Iveri, South Africa: The frontiers of payment technologies
• Jean Moncrieff, CEO, Emerge Africa, South Africa: Effective business process management for banks
• Martin Orji, Managing Director, Nex-Rubica, UK: Setting up a trading, risk management and middle office infrastructure within an investment banking environment
• James Massey, GM, BPC Banking Technologies MEA, Russia: The effect of mergers and acquisitions on banking systems
• Macauley Atasie, CEO, Nextzon, Nigeria: Latest developments in card technology in Nigeria
• Bernard Matthewman, CEO, Paynet, Kenya: Are e-banking channels delivering on their promise for all stakeholders?
• Jim Baird, Managing Director, ATM Africa International, South Africa: The changing face of self-service in Africa
• Mark O’Flynn, Director – Africa & ME, VeriFone EMEA, UK: The direction of electronic payments
• Estevao Tokata, Director, Africa, First Data, South Africa: Prepaid and debit acceptance within the African region
• Girisch Nair, Group Chief Executive, Technology Associates Group, UAE: Collaborative payment solutions assisting in banking the underbanked – proven successes in the East African card payments industry
• Shaun Campbell, Business Development Manager, Upaid, UK: What is the future landscape of Banking the Unbanked?
• Sam Kamiti, GM Alternate Business Channels, Equity Bank Limited, Kenya: Leveraging on alternative business channels to deliver financial services 24/7 cost-effectively and advance the frontier

The event will also include an exhibition to showcase latest banking technology products and services. Bankers wanting to attend the event are invited to email the organisers on info@aitecafrica.com

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Climbing to 37,000 feet a few minutes after a near incident over the Minneapolis airspace must take a lot of courage, right? Wrong. Its called itinerary. Temilade and I were really scared (as was every other passenger in the 757-200 flight from Boston) when the aircraft suddenly grew a mind of its own, danced around vigorously and then the pilot made for the skies even as everyone expected touchdown in seconds. I was really scared that we were going to crush the cars on the bridge just before the runway but the pilot’s words a few minutes after the struggle brought a bit of what looked like calm; he said he decided to delay landing because of gathering storm and that we would have to attempt landing again. Thunderous claps filled the plane the moment its tyres touched down and I couldn’t help seeing the reaction of the lady by the window — one of many such across the length of the 757. We strolled towards the gate for the connecting flight and kept discussing the near incident but I couldn’t help laughing at the fact that we were actually getting on another airplane — and crossing the atlantic towards the UK this time. Since reading was the closest therapy to help ignore the fear of climbing thousands of feet within minutes of what looked like an airforce acrobatic display, I was quick to grab at least five newspaper titles.

Reading through almost by the page, I was able to replace the fear for heights with the opportunity to learn mopre about what was happening around the world while I returned to the classroom — and while I spent the weekend setting the tone for my future (hmmm…. “The Surprise”). I read today’s editorial of the Financial Times with surprise written visibly on my face, not only because the headline was “Democrats must choose Obama” but because it said, “The party has waited a long time for a politician like Obama. Enough already”. Maybe that levels the playing field considering the fact that Hillary’s on Larry King Live tonight — the night before Another Super Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal’s feature, “India’s Economic Engine Shows Signs of Fatigue,” quoted government forecasts for economic growth rate for the fiscal year that ended last month as 8.7% and I agree with the authors that this isn’t good for India’s ambitions (even though the team that came for the Harvard course would disagree with me). The UK Daily Mail told the story of how the Bank of England is trying to prevent a 1930-like depression by injecting 50 billion pounds into the financial system “to halt the threatened mortgage meltdown.” And my favourite: Randall Stross’ “Punch line for the digital age: Take my e-mail. Please!” in the International Herald Tribune.

The article describes the dilemma that increased numbers of eMail present. Even though many have been arguing that the simplest solution to the surge would be the same applied to increase in work volume for executives — a secretary/assistant — I think the real solution may be in the ability of the busy executive to organize or sort eMail to know which ones need personal attention and those that can benefit from the gift of delegation. Randall wrote about “e-mail bankruptcy,” a situation in which the user literally deletes every eMail in his/her inbox and starts all over again. My experience with a new system in which I archive some eMails in a folder called “unreplied” (which holds eMails I intend to reply later but are now increasing in volume) has shown that things may only get worse as more people join the eMail communication chain. The ability to sort eMail, keep the inbox tidy and understand the thin line between necessity (what’s important) and addiction (itchy fingers on the blackberry) will go a long way in helping everyone whose life has been flooded by eMail. If your laptop, blackberry and/or other eMail-friendly devices don’t talk to each other (”synchronization” must be a familiar word), you need to consider doing that also because, even as age-long wisdom teaches, central coordination reduces duplicated efforts. The captain has switched off the “fasten seat belt” sign, the ever-smiling crew are rolling the wheels and I guess its only wise to keep this laptop away and enjoy the meal…

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Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is currently accepting applications for the On-The-Go (OTG) project. The OTG project (a.k.a. “Okada Project”) will empower young Nigerians from underserved communities, who have interest in sales and product distribution, by equipping them with motorcycles and consistent supply of Tura Beauty Care products. Successful applicants will be expected to distribute products at favourable prices using motorbikes along specified routes in Lagos State.

The project is part of Lornamead Africa’s support for Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s (PIN) Ajegunle.org project. PIN, a social enterprise, partners with private sector institutions to build sustainable social intervention models that can help improve underserved communities. Requirements for the OTG project positions include:

• Must have lived in an underserved (or disadvantaged) community over the last 5 years
• Minimum of Secondary School Leaving Certificate
• Possession of valid Driver’s license (Class A)
• Good eyesight
• Minimum of 3 years experience in driving motorcycles
• Sound knowledge of Lagos routes
• Possess selling skill and result-oriented
• Ability to communicate effectively in English language
• 25 to 35 years
• Male
• Guarantor

All interested individuals should send their CVs to ugo.nwosu@ajegunle.org on or before April 25, 2008. You may also call Ugo on 08037474312 for further details.

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I returned to school on Monday. I’d been hinting at returning to school for a while, joking that I’d soon run out of knowledge if I didn’t refill Thanks to the Interntional Telecommunications Union, I joined the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Education Program on Science and Technology Innovation Policy earlier in the week. I had stopped over for a few days in the UK to add value to another area of my life (more details shortly — or should I tell the story now, Temilade?) and can’t forget the feeling of actually having power for my laptop right on my seat onboard (does North West deserve a mention for that)?

The program has been quite intensive but the discussions are worth the time and tuition. With about fifty experts (mostly from government departments) from various countries across the world and a dynamic faculty, the discussions have touched on innovation, development, case studies (you can bet one was on Singapore) and more. Its only the second day and I’m already feeling the impact the program will have on my work. Outside class, the network is unbelievable! There are three other Nigerians here — a state government’s IT adviser, a government energy consultant and a former speaker of a state house of assembly. Plus, I met a former (young) minister of information this afternoon.

We’re presently taking a tour of the Harvard campus (phew, a deserved break, OMG!) and even though the sun is high up, the cold breeze keeps reminding my hands (everywhere else is covered in layers) that Lagos is quite some distance. I’ve been discussing Nigeria with my “ogas” here, in the light of the class discussions that never fail to remind one of the fact that Nigeria has no business being poor! Each morning, I put my green-white-green muffler (made from local fabric) across my shoulder and walk into class with the hope that I would pick one more lesson that can help sharpen the efficiency of my work as a social entrepreneur with a bias for the role of ICTs in developing economies.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nike Oke (08067125727)

Uturn Concepts Presents “The Raising More Money Seminar”
Breakthrough Funding Strategies and Solutions for Non-profit Organizations

Uturn Concepts, a global consulting organization empowers non-profit organizations and small corporations for effective social impact by helping build credibility, capacity and attracting sustainable funding to achieve their objectives. Headquartered in Houston, USA, consultants at Uturn Concepts have succeeded in supporting several non-profit institutions in raising several thousands of dollars to support their social causes.

Uturn Concepts provides several services to the non-profit/social responsibility sector and Fundraising Is Only a Part of What We Do. Partnership describes our approach to working with our clients. We enter every engagement with the understanding that the best solution to any nonprofit client challenge can never be pulled “off the shelf.” We tailor our services and our methodologies to each client’s specific situation — involving the client in every step of the process.

Our services are grouped into three major divisions: 1) Leadership and Teamwork; 2) Planning and Mission Performance; and 3) Fundraising. Most client relationships draw from this broad range of resources, depending on their needs and aspirations.

We provide clients innovative solutions with dynamic results, a team of catalysts with whom they enjoy working and the integrity of a partner committed to greatness.

Doyin Oguntona, (the former President/CEO of Junior Achievement Nigeria who led JA Nigeria to global recognition from 2002 to 2005) is the CEO and Co-founder of Uturn Concepts. She said, “I identify strongly with the funding crisis in the sector as I had hands on experience with those same issues as a former leader in the sector. We look forward to sharing much needed funding strategies, information and practical hands on funding support efforts to build the necessary capacity, credibility and funding needed to be sustainable for the long haul. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all our consultants, funders and corporations for their incredible support and their willingness to travel down to Nigeria to share best strategies for success. We hope our involvement with the non-profit sector in Nigeria will demonstrate to others the need to help build, nurture and provide funding for the social sector in Nigeria.

The seminar series will hold in Lagos at Eko Le Merdien Hotel in July, 2008; Ghana at Novotel, Accra and Cameroun at Sheraton Duoala.

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