NgnewsletterREN www.ngren.edu.ng A monthly publication of the Nigerian Research and Education Network ISSN 0000-0000 MAY 2016 Vol. 1 No. 1

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NgREN - Connecting great minds. CONTENTS MAY 2016 3 11 VISIT INAUGURATION ’s Honourable Minister of Education, The second NgREN Board is inaugurated to Malam Adamu Adamu, makes his maiden visit include members from Federal, State and Private to the NgREN and promises the Federal Universities in Nigeria. Government’s support for the Network. 5 15 NEWS FINANCIAL SUPPORT More and more dignitaries from within Nigeria The NgREN and other RENs in Africa, benefit and abroad, continue to visit the NgREN, just as from the TransAfrican Network Development they express support for the Network. Project, funded by the European Union. 8 16 MORE SUBSCRIBERS PARTNERSHIP More Nigerian Universities, including the newly Nigeria’s REN partners EBSCO on capacity established Federal University, Lafia, connects to development and e-content provision. the NgREN. 8 5 11 14 NgREN Newsletter is a monthly publication of the Nigerian Research and Education Network. /ngren.ngren

For enquiries, please contact: Nigerian Research and Education Network /NigerianREN Peter Okebukola Building National Universities Commission 26 Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja Tel: +234 (0) 94602960 /+NgRENfrontdesk email: [email protected] website: www.ngren.edu.ng For subscriptions: [email protected] 2 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. Minister Pays Maiden Visit to NgREN igeria’s Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, Npaid his maiden visit to the Ni- gerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) on March 1, 2016. Malam Adamu who was appointed to head the nation’s Education Ministry in Novem- ber, 2015, commended the Net- work and called on all universi- ties in the country to subscribe.

During the Honourable Minis- (Sitting) R-L: Chairman, Senate Committe on Tertiary Education and TETFund, Senator Binta Masi Garba; Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor ter’s visit, NgREN’s Board Chair- Anthony Anwukah; Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu; man, Professor Julius A. Okojie, Chairman, NgREN Board, Professor Julius A. Okojie and NgREN Board OON, conducted the Minister Member and Secretary-General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Professor Michael Faborode, during the Minister’s visit. and his entourage around the Network’s Secretariat. Malam Adamu inspected the NgREN’s and Management of the Fed- tivities and services the NgREN Network Management Centre eral University, Lafia (FULafia) had provided since inception (NMC) before proceeding to and the National Open Uni- to Nigerian universities. He, es- the Video Conferencing room versity of Nigeria (NOUN). pecially, informed the Minister for a brief demonstration of that, with the proper utilisation some of the NgREN’s services. The Project Manager of the REN, of the Network, Government He interacted via teleconferenc- Dr. Joshua Atah, briefed the could save a huge chunk of its ing with the Vice-Chancellor Honourable Minister on the ac- resources as the Network would

LEFT: (R-L) NgREN Chairman, Profes- sor Okojie and Project Manager, Dr. Joshua Atah, conducting the Honourable Minister and his entourage around the NgREN’s facilities.

TOP: A teleconferencing session at the NMC, during the Minister’s visit. 3 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter reduce the cost of running the universities in the country.

At the end of the tour, the Hon- ourable Minister expressed sat- isfaction with the NgREN’s ca- pabilities. He commended the Management and expressed Government readiness to con- tinue to support the Project for the benefit of the nation.

Among those in the Honourable Minister’s entourage, was the A ‘Welcome To NgREN’ inscription on display on the REN’s Videoconferencing Honourable Minister of State for Screen to Welcome the Honourable Minister. Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, who joined the Min- ister half way into the tour. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Teritary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET- Fund), Senator Binta Masi Garba also accompanied the Minister.

RIGHT: Dr. Atah, explaining a point to the Honourable Minister at the NgREN’s Power Room

NgREN Board Chairman, Okojie (Left), presenting an NgREN Plaque to Malam Adamu and Professor Anwukah, when they visited the NgREN Secretariat. 4 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. NgREN Hosts Edo, Imo Governors, ANPA, Others

L-R: Acting Vice-Chancellor, Edo University, Professor E. O. Aluyor; NgREN Board Chairman, Professor Julius A. Okojie; Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; NUC Deputy Executive Secretary I, Professor Chiedu Mafiana and NgREN Project Manager, Dr. Joshua Atah, during Governor Oshiomhole’s visit to the NgREN Secretariat. ince its official commis- versities Commission (NUC), Association of Nigerian Physi- sioning in July, 2014, the Abuja. Among those who visited cians in the Americas (ANPA), Nigerian Research and Ed- the Network lately were the Exec- also visited the REN, recently. Sucation Network (NgREN), has utive Governors of Edo and Imo continued to attract high-profile States, Comrade Adams Oshiom- The Chairman of the NgREN visitors and professionals to its hole and Owelle Rochas Okoro- Board, Professor Julius A. Oko- Secretariat at the National Uni- cha, respectively. Members of the jie, led the Governor of Edo State

Imo State Governor, Owelle (in white cap), signing the Visitor’s Register, while NgREN Board Chair- man, Professor Okojie (Left) and the Project Manager, Dr. Atah (standing right) watch.

5 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter R-L: Professor Okojie, conferring with the Edo State Governor in his office shortly before they undertook a tour of the NgREN. and his entourage on a tour of chukwu, some members of the and Deputy Executive Secretary I the Network Management Cen- Federal House of Representa- of the National Universities Com- tre on March 23, 2016. During tives, comprising Honourable mission (NUC), Professor Chiedu the tour, the Project Manager, Dr. Chike Okafor and Honourable Mafiana. While welcoming the Joshua Atah, demonstrated be- Austin Chukwuma as well as Association to the NgREN, he fore the visitors, the capabilities Barrister Teddy Akwari, Honour- thanked them for maintaining a and capacities of the Network. able Nma Nzeribe and Dr. God- steady relationship with the REN. By the end of the visit, Comrade frey Bane, took a tour of the REN. The Chairman informed the As- Oshiomhole acknowledged the sociation that simulation had al- key role the NgREN would play A delegation from ANPA, led by ready been infused into the new in enhancing teaching and learn- its President, Dr. Nkem Chuk- Benchmark Minimum Academic ing in Edo University, Iyamho, wumerije, was at the NgREN Sec- Standards (BMAS) for Medical the State’s newest institution. retariat on March 22, 2016. The Sciences. He added that, as part He, immediately, directed the team was received by the NgREN of the required quality assurance Vice-Chancellor, who accom- Board Chairman’s representative measures, class sizes for new panied him on the tour, to ob- tain the necessary information on the subscription to the REN.

On his part, Governor Okorocha, who visited the REN on April 13, 2016, spoke in the same vein as his counterpart from Edo State, commending the efforts of the REN in providing a platform for all Nigerian universities to con- nect and share resources. The Governor and members of his entourage, including the Vice- Chancellor of the State’s new Professor Okojie (Left) presenting an NgREN Plaque to Governor Oshiomhole, University, Professor Chima Iwu- while Professor Mafiana watch on. 6 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. medical schools had been limited Dr. Joshua Atah, disclosed that NgREN was offered the same ser- to a maximum of 50 students. the robust nature of the Network vice for less than $50 per mbps. Dr. Chukwumerije expressed already made tele-medicine and At the end of their visit, Dr. Atah

Professor Okojie, Governor Okorocha and Dr. Atah, in the company of members of the Governors entourage and some NUC Management Staff, observing a Videoconferencing session, during the Governor’s visit. gratitude to the Network for other areas of collaboration feasi- assured the Association that partnering with his Association. ble. He noted, however, that fund- the NgREN was already mak- He recalled that ANPA, in 2014, ing remained a major challenge ing positive steps to expand agreed to partner with the NgREN to the Network. The Project Man- its subscriber base to include to contribute to the improvement ager informed the Association more universities, polytech- in healthcare training in Nigeria, that most Nigerian institutions nics and colleges of education. especially in tele-medicine, us- had keenly expressed willingness ing the facilities provided by the to connect to NgREN because The NgREN is expected to make REN. The Association first toured of the exorbitant amount they a presentation on the status of the NgREN facility in 2014, after currently expend on bandwidth the Network at ANPA’s upcom- which they expressed satisfaction from internet service providers, ing Convention, holding in with the Network’s objectives and which used to be in the range Las Vegas, USA, in June, 2016. further discussed opportunities of $1,260 per mbps, whereas the for deploying tele-medicine and simulation solutions to the Nige- rian University System (NUS) via the Network. Dr. Chukwumerije told the NgREN Management that ANPA looked forward to the establishment of a mecha- nism that would allow students provide feedbacks on their lec- turers, so that such feedback could be used to evaluate staff.

In welcoming the visitors from Professor Okojie (5th left), Dr. Chukwumerije (5th right), in a group photograph with some NUC Management Staff, the NgREN Project Manager and some ANPA, NgREN Project Manager, Members of ANPA.

7 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter More Nigerian Varsities Connect to NgREN 1,260 when it took-off, to USD 59 mbps today. Being her first visit to the Network Manage- ment Centre (NMC), she ob- served that, with the demonstra- tion of the NgREN’s capabilities, she was convinced about the ben- efits to the Nigerian University System (NUS). She, therefore, promised that the Senate would support the Project to deliver on its services to the nation’s in- (Sitting in Front Row) L-R: NgREN Board Member and CVC Secretary-General, stitutions and other end-users. Professor Michael Faborode; NgREN Chairman and NUC Scribe, Professor Julius A. Okojie; Senate Committee Chair on Tertiary Education and TETFund, Senator Binta Masi Garba and NUC Director, Open and Distance Education, Dr. The Committee Chairman stated Olamide Adesina, during FULafia’s connection ceremony. that the Network offered a cost- effective way of guaranteeing o fewer than 7 Nigerian Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary access and quality education to universities have re- Education Trust Fund (TET- Nigerians. She added that, with cently connected to the Fund), Senator Binta Masi Garba. the level of sophistication and NNigerian Research and Educa- access the younger generation tion Network (NgREN), includ- During the connection ceremo- had to Information and Com- ing the Federal University, Lafia ny, the Senator acknowledged munication Technology (ICT), (FULafia); University of Port that Nigeria had made signifi- the nation had no choice but to Harcourt; Nnamdi Azikiwe Uni- cant progress since the launch of deploy the right infrastructure versity, Awka; Ibrahim Badama- the NgREN, with the reduction for education to enable youths si Babangida University, Lapai; of the bandwidth costs for net- become globally competitive. Kano University of Science and work infrastructure from USD Technology, Wudil; National Responding to questions on Open University of Nigeria and the funding requirements for University of Nigeria, Nsukka. the NgREN, Senator Garba ex- pressed optimism that her Com- FULafia was formally connected mittee, which comprised at to the NgREN at an elaborate least seven former State Gover- ceremony in February, 2016, thus nors, would support the Project, becoming the 28th Federal In- knowing the revolution and im- stitution in Nigeria and the first pact it would create in the NUS. among the 12 new universities es- tablished by the Federal Govern- The Chairman of the NgREN ment of Nigeria in 2011 and 2013, Board and Executive Secretary, to join the Network. The Univer- National Universities Commis- sity was officially connected to Former Vice-Chancellor, FULafia, Professor Ekanem Ikpi-Braide, sion (NUC), Professor Julius A. the NgREN by the Chairman of speaking via video-conferencing from Okojie, in his remarks, noted Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Lafia during the connection ceremony. that in recognition of the criti- 8 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. cal role that research and educa- tion played in the development of the nation, the NUC, in con- junction with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVC), with the support of the World Bank’s Sci- ence and Technology Education, Post-Basic (STEP-B) Project, commissioned the NgREN on July 8, 2014. He said that the Pro- ject, which was earlier estimated to cost about USD 78 million for its full implementation, could not take-off effectively due to the NgREN’s Project Manager, Dr. Joshua Atah (standing), speaking shortly before paucity of funds, but was only the presentation of the NgREN plaque to Senator Garba. able to commence, using the seed fund of USD 10 million made university-to-university com- cess to reliable, efficient and available by the World Bank. munications. It also offered the cheap internet facilities, e-books, institutions the opportunity to e-journals, IP telephony, etc. With the commissioning of the subscribe to a one-stop band- Network in 2014, Professor Oko- width, which granted them ac- Observing that the journey to the jie said that the NgREN became the first operational Research and Education Network (REN) in West and Central Africa. Ac- cording to him, some of the ben- efits that subscriber institutions have enjoyed from the Network included, high-definition vid- eo-conferencing infrastructure, multi-party conferencing and

realisation of the Project had been quite interesting and challenging due to hesitation and the inability of some universities to buy into the REN, the Board Chairman informed Senator Garba that the NgREN had, at some point, solic- ited the intervention of the Fed- eral Government as well as assis- tance from some state agencies, Professor Folahan Ayorinde, demonstrating the practicality of the Network’s including the Nigerian Commu- e-learning classroom. He taught Organic Chemistry 142-02 to a class in Lafia by nications Commission (NCC), to video-conferencing as seen in the adjoining photo above. 9 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter Some Management Staff of NUC, NgREN and the Senate Committee Chairman, listening attentively to Professor Ayorinde’s lecture at the Network Management Centre Videoconferencing Room. help in expanding the Network in Speaking via teleconferencing in Lafia from the NgREN Secre- order to address the challenges of from the University in Lafia, tariat in Abuja. After the practi- infrastructure, capacity and joint then Vice-Chancellor, Professor cal lesson, he observed that the research within the university Ekanem Ikpi-Braide, expressed benefits of the REN were too nu- communities. He, however, not- delight at the connection of the merous for the NUS to gloss over, ed that what was more important Institution to the Network, not- adding that the Project offered now, was to sensitise all stakehold- ing that it was a fulfilment of the the only viable way to teach and ers, especially the institutions, University’s desire to effectively conduct research in the present on the achievements recorded, carry out the mandate of improv- day, with the seamless interac- the need for those yet to con- ing access and quality. She noted tions it provided between lectur- nect to do so and for subscribed that with the University’s connec- ers and students, wherever they members to pay their subscrip- tion, its access to bandwidth fa- might be, and leading to needless tions so as to enjoy the services. cilities had moved from 79 mbps erection of physical classrooms. to 150 mbps and would enhance Professor Okojie expressed hope its speed of operation and utilisa- Professor Ayorinde appealed to that with the Project in its second tion for research. According to policy makers in Nigeria and phase, a total of 141 universities Professor Ikpi-Braide, being con- other foreign stakeholders to would connect to the Network as nected to the Network had also ensure that the NgREN was sus- envisaged, which would also wit- enhanced the staff and students tained and supported so that the ness the introduction of the sim- access to Research Africa sub- end-users would derive its ben- ulation model in the teaching of scriptions and improved its vis- efits. He also encouraged aca- students. He stated that the World ibility in other research activities. demics and students to take ad- Bank had expressed worry on the vantage of the Network and share underutilisation of the NgREN, Professor Folahan Ayorinde, resources with their counter- with 10 out of the 22 Africa Cen- a former Lecturer of Organic parts in other parts of the world. tres of Excellence (ACE) emerg- Chemistry at Howard University, ing from Nigeria, which meant USA, demonstrated the practical- The Secretary-General of the that the performance of the Ni- ity of the Network’s smart e-learn- CVC and Member, NgREN gerian ACE would impact on ing classroom, by teaching Or- Board, Professor Michael Fab- the success of the entire Project. ganic Chemistry 142-02 to a class orode, was visibly excited about 10 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. the connection of more institu- their subscription charges. He er subscriber base would ensure tions to the Network. He con- reiterated that the NgREN was greater access to cheap band- gratulated FULafia Management not established for profit; rather, widths. Highlighting some of the and admonished them to ensure it’s objective was to bring educa- advantages of coming on board that they maximised the poten- tion support network facilities to the Network, Dr. Atah said that tials derivable from the NgREN. Nigerian universities at a cheap- some needless physical presence er rate. He, in fact, stated that at meetings could be avoided with Giving a background on the the cost of bandwidth dropped the effective use of the NgREN’s NgREN, the Project Manager, from the initial USD 1260mbps facilities. For the purpose of Dr. Joshua Atah, noted that it was when the Project took off, to teaching and learning, the facility the biggest broadband network USD 160mbps and to a present could be used to deliver lectures in Nigeria, besides MTN Airtel, cost estimate of USD 59mbps. to large classes, seamlessly. This is Etisalat and Glo. He observed already tackling some of the chal- that funding had hampered the The Project Manager welcomed lenges of access to quality educa- connection of more universities FULafia to the Network andtion in Nigeria and had bridged to the Network, as anticipated, urged other universities in the the gap between teacher/students while subscribing universities country to emulate the Institu- ratio since large classes could be had not been up-to-date with tion and subscribe immediately attended to at a particular time. to the NgREN, as having a larg- NgREN Gets New Board he Board of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) was recently recon- Tstituted in December, 2015, to include at least two members each, representing federal, state and private universities in Nigeria. Meet the members of the newly reconstituted Board.

(NUC). Following his education sity of Technology. He was ap- at the University of Ibadan and pointed Executive Secretary of Yale University, USA, he com- the NUC in 2006 and again in menced his professional career at 2011 for a second term. As Ex- the University of Ibadan, reach- ecutive Secretary, he has led the ing the pinnacle of his career as Commission in ensuring com- an academic when he became pliance to the quality assurance Vice-Chancellor, University of guidelines and sustained the Agriculture, Abeokuta, in 1991. quality of academic programmes His outstanding performance as as well as institutional services in Vice-Chancellor, endeared him Nigerian universities. He has also to his counterparts who elected spearheaded several projects and him Chairman, Committee of headed innumerable committees Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian geared towards the improvement Federal Universities in 2001. of standards in the NUS and ex- Professor Julius A. OKOJIE pansion of access to university CHAIRMAN Professor Okojie was Chairman education in the country. He re- professor of Forestry, Pro- of NUC’s Standing Committee ceived the Officer of the Order Afessor Julius A. Okojie is the of Private Universities (SCOPU) of the Niger (OON) Nigerian Executive Secretary of the Na- and later, in July 2005, appointed National Award in 2011 for his tional Universities Commission Vice-Chancellor of Bells Univer- meritorious service to the nation. 11 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter rofessor Michael Faborode is ety of Agricultural Engineering Pcurrently Secretary-General, (WASAE). Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVC). A Fellow of the Nigerian Society A professor of Agricultural En- of Engineers (NSE) and the Ni- gineering, he was appointed the gerian Institution of Agricultur- 9th Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi al Engineers (NIAE), Professor Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in Faborode received his B.Sc. and July 2006. He is a former Vice M.Sc. degrees at the University President of the Council for the of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo Regulation of Engineering in University, and his Ph.D. from Nigeria (COREN) and served the University of Newcastle upon as President, West African Soci- Tyne, United Kingdom. Professor Michael FABORODE MEMBER r. Ayodele Adigun is cur- same University in 1987. He, im- Mrently Deputy Secretary- mediately, joined the General of the Committee of Polytechnic, Birnin-Kebbi, and Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian served as a lecturer between 1987 Universities (CVC). and 1991.

He studied Sociology at the Uni- Mr. Adigun was appointed Assis- versity of Jos, graduating with a tant Secretary of the CVC in 1991 Second Class Upper Division in and rose through the ranks to be- 1983. He obtained an M.Sc. de- come the Deputy Secretary-Gen- gree in Public Administration eral of the Committee in 2003, a and Policy Analysis from the position he holds till date. Mr. Ayodele ADIGUN MEMBER rofessor Muhammad Bel- leadership positions in his Uni- lo is the Vice-Chancellor, versity, including Head, Depart- Bayero University, Kano ment of Mathematical Sciences, P(BUK). In 1981, he received his from 1991 to 1999; Dean, Faculty B.Sc. in Education Mathematics of Science, from 1995 to 1999; from BUK, where he was the best Director, Centre for Information graduating student in the Faculty Technology, from 2003 to 2007; of Education. He was retained at and Dean, School of Postgradu- the University the following year ate Studies, from 2009 to 2010. as a Graduate Assistant. In 1988, From 1999 to 2003, he served two he obtained his Ph.D. in Mathe- terms as Deputy Vice-Chancellor matics from the University of Ar- (Academics) and was again ap- kansas, USA, and was mentioned pointed to the same position for in the Graduating School Dean’s another two terms between 2010 List for obtaining ‘A’ in all courses and 2014. He is a member of sev- during his PhD. programme in eral professional bodies, includ- Arkansas. ing the Nigerian Mathematical Society, Mathematics Association Professor Muhammad BELLO Professor Bello has held several of Nigeria and the Nigerian Insti- MEMBER tute of Mathematical Physics. 12 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. Professor of Chemical Pa- teaching career at the Univer- A thology, Joseph Ahaneku, sity College Hospital, Ibadan. In is the 5th Vice-Chancellor of 1991, he joined NAU as a Lecturer Nnamdi Azikiwe University and after a year, he was appointed (NAU), Awka. Until his appoint- Consultant, Chemical Patholo- ment, he served as Deputy Vice- gist, to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Uni- Chancellor (Academic) of the versity Teaching Hospital, Nne- University. He obtained his B.Sc. wi. He was promoted to the rank in Biochemistry from the Uni- of Senior Lecturer in 1994 and in versity of Ibadan in 1984 and re- 1997, he was appointed Professor. ceived his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Chemical Pathology, He is a Chartered Member of the from the same University. Institute of Biology, London and a Fellow of the Nigerian Acad- Professor Joseph E. AHANEKU Professor Ahaneku began his emy of Science. MEMBER

rofessor Cordelia Agbeba- her B.L degree in 1986. She re- Pku became the substantive ceived her Master’s degree from Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose the same University in 1989. Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, in February, 2014. Until her ap- Professor Agbebaku started her pointment, she was the Acting working career in 1987 as an As- Vice-Chancellor of the Univer- sistant Lecturer in AAU. She rose sity from May 2011. through the ranks to become a Professor in 2003. Before her ap- She studied Law at the then Ben- pointment as Vice-Chancellor, del State University, now AAU, she was the Dean of AAU’s Fac- graduating with an LL.B. degree ulty of Law. Professor Agbebaku as the best graduating female has to her credit, numerous pub- student in 1985. She, thereafter, lications in local and internation- proceeded to the Nigerian Law al journals. Professor Cordelia AGBEBAKU School, Lagos, where she bagged MEMBER rofessor Ibrahim Umar is 1984 and 1987, respectively, he PVice-Chancellor, Gombe bagged an MSc. and Ph.D. in Nu- State University. Before his ap- clear and Radiochemistry from pointment as Vice-Chancellor in the University of Salford, United 2014, he served as the Univer- Kingdom. sity’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of Science and Before joining Uni- Postgraduate School. versity, Professor Umar was the Director, Centre for Energy Re- He obtained a Bachelor of Sci- search and Training (CERT) at ence in Chemistry from Ahmadu Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Bello University, Zaria, in 1981 He also served as Director, Nu- and joined the University as a clear Science and Technology at Professor Ibrahim M. UMAR Graduate Assistant in 1982, af- the Energy Commission of Nige- MEMBER ter his National Youth Service. In ria, Abuja.

13 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter rofessor Huseyin Sert is Vice- to become a Professor in the same PChancellor, Nigerian Turkish institution in 2012, before his ap- Nile University (NTNU), Abuja. pointment as Vice-Chancellor of He obtained his MBBS/MSc. NTNU in the same year. degrees from the University of Ataturk in 1999 and specialised Professor Sert is a member of in Anaesthesiology and Reani- the Turkey Anaesthesiology and mation at the Ministry of Health Reanimation Association, An- Ankara Ataturk Education and aesthesiology and Reanimation Research Hospital, Turkey, in Association, Turkish Society of 2005. He joined the Faith Univer- Intensive Care, Cardiovascular sity Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, in and Thoracic Anesthesia and In- Professor Huseyin SERT 2005 and rose through the ranks tensive Care Assoication and An- kara Medical Chamber. MEMBER rofessor Charles Ayo holds of a number of international re- Pa B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in search bodies such as the Centre Computer Science. Before his for Business Information, Or- current appointment as Vice- ganisation and Process Manage- Chancellor of Covenant Univer- ment, University of Westminster, sity, Ota, he was Head of Com- London; the Review Commit- puter and Information Sciences tee of the European Conference Department. His research inter- on e-Government; and the Pro- ests include: mobile computing, gramme Committee of IADIS In- internet programming, e-Gov- formation Systems. He is a mem- ernment and Software Engineer- ber of the Editorial Boards of the ing. He is a member of the Nigeri- Journal of Information and Com- an Computer Society (NCS) and munication Technology for Hu- Computer Professionals (Regis- man Development, International tration Council) of Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research in Professor Charles K. AYO Education and the African Jour- MEMBER Professor Ayo is also a member nal of Business Management. r. Joshua Atah is the Project the Institute of Electrical and DManager of the Nigerian Re- Electronics Engineers (IEEE), search and Education Network Nigerian Society of Engineers (NgREN). He obtained a Doc- (NSE), Association for Comput- torate in Electronic Engineer- ing Machinery (ACM), Interna- ing from the University of Kent, tional Association of Engineers Canterbury, United Kingdom. (IANG), among others. He has Prior to that, he studied Electri- published research papers in the cal and Computer Engineering at field of Biometrics, ICT and Elec- the Federal University of Tech- tronic Engineering. In addition nology, Minna, Nigeria. to several national assignments, he has worked as Head of ICT Dr. Atah is registered with the and related Projects at the Na- Council for the Regulation of tional Universities Commission Engineering in Nigeria (COR- (NUC) since February 2002, with EN). He is a member of several the responsibility for developing Dr. Joshua ATAH professional bodies, including and implementing ICT projects PROJECT MANAGER 14NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. in Nigerian Universities.

Dr. Atah also worked briefly at NgREN to Benefit the Nigerian Television Author- ity and has served in a number reatfrom news! The NigerianTANDEM continent and beyond, to col- of national assignments, includ- Research and Educa- laborate and share resources. The ing being Coordinator, Africa tion Network (NgREN) boost in connectivity would not Centres of Excellece in Nigeria, Gis among National Research and only advance research and edu- a Project that saw Nigeria win 10 Education Networks (NRENs) cation locally, by providing op- out of the 22 ACEs established in that would benefit from the portunities such as e-learning 8 countries, with Nigeria’s portfo- TransAfrican Network De- and cloud computing, it would lio standing at over $73m. velopment (TANDEM) Pro- equally benefit scientific stud- ject, funded in the framework ies in the world, particularly in He was a Member of the Presi- of the European Commission the areas of climate change, bio- dential Committee of National Horizon 2020 Programme. diversity, food security, malaria Broadband Strategy and Road- and other infectious diseases. map in Nigeria between 2012 The new Project tagged Afri- and 2013; Secretary, Presidential caConnect2 and valued at 26.6m On the benefits of the Project to Committee on Capacity Building euros, culminated from the part- researchers and students, Gbenga for Outsourcing in Nigeria from nership between the West and Jegede, who is a Professor in the 2005 to 2010; Member, Presiden- Central Africa Research and Physics and Engineering Phys- tial Committee on the Develop- Education Network (WACREN), ics Department at the Obafemi ment of e-learning Policy in Ni- Ubuntunet Alliance, and the Awolowo University (OAU) in geria between 2012 and 2015; and Arab States Research and Edu- Nigeria explains: “In my area of Member, Standing Committee on cation Network (ASREN) with research, I need access to climate Private Universities in Nigeria Europe’s leading collaboration data as well as regional climate between 2007 and 2010. on network and related infra- models (RCMs) to be able to structure and services, GÉANT. study different climate scenarios With the collaboration aimed and train students to be able to do at supporting dialogue between so. The AfricaConnect2 Project the European Union and NRENs opens up new vista supporting from Africa, particularly those in collaborative research across Af- West and Central Africa, NRENs rica and beyond, through timely in the region would now create access to scientific data using and implement e-infrastructure high-speed Internet connectivity as the Project would provide provided by NRENs. I am very ex- dedicated high-speed internet cited to be part of the cooperative across the African continent as whereby acquired data is made well as ensure integration into available to the global scientific the global research and educa- community and for training of tion networking community. postgraduate students in Africa.”

AfricaConnect2 would devel- As part of efforts to ensure effi- op high-capacity internet net- ciency, WACREN has created an works across Africa and connect online survey for the TANDEM them to the European GÉANT Project in order to gather end- network, allowing students, re- users’ (researchers and academic searchers and academics in the users) requirements and establish

15 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter the need for NRENs and its ser- well as identify technical recom- project-activities/services/end- vices. Essentially, lecturers and re- mendations, so as to draw maxi- user-survey/, as the output of the searchers are encouraged to com- mum benefits from the forth- survey would help provide bet- plete this online survey as soon as coming AfricaConnect2 Project. ter and improved internet net- possible, to assist raise end-users’ work, e-infrastructure and ser- awareness on services, including Academic staff of universities vices to the NgREN. A printable connectivity, authentication and and researchers are kindly re- version of the survey can also be collaboration tools. The survey quested to complete the online downloaded, completed on your would also be helpful in providing survey via the following web link: computer systems and emailed the requirements of end-users’ as http://www.tandem-wacren.eu/ to [email protected]. NgREN/EBSCO Organises Electronic Content Workshop - Minister Directs Varsities to Connect to REN the Federal Government would no longer condone a situation whereby institutions collect mon- ey and individually incur higher costs when a cheaper alterna- tive was available, through con- sortium and economies of large scale, provided by the NgREN.

Malam Adamu stressed that, with the revealing experience of what the NgREN could do when he visited the Network on March 1, 2016, there was no reason for universities to independently pay Professor Anthony Anwukah for services such as bandwidth or Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State for Education electronic journals subscriptions when those services are available he Nigerian Research Declaring the Workshop open, on the platform. He, therefore, and Education Network Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of charged the REN to commence (NgREN) has, in col- Education, Malam Adamu Ada- the process of identification of Tlaboration with EBSCO, South mu, who was represented by the other sources of information and Africa, organised a One-Day Honourable Minister of State for facilitate availability to the Nige- Workshop on EBSCOhost Elec- Education, Professor Anthony rian University System (NUS). tronic Content, to sensitise Ni- Anwukah, directed tertiary in- gerian universities on access and stitutions in Nigeria, especially The Honourable Minister ex- usage of e-Book Academic Col- the federal universities, to avail pressed satisfaction that an- lection. The Workshop held at themselves of the opportunities other value was being added to the Idris Abdulkadir Auditorium, offered by the NgREN and, as a the NgREN, with the provision National Universities Commis- matter of urgency, connect to the of electronic books and jour- sion (NUC), on April 12, 2016. Network. The Minister stated that nals, using EBSCOhost, which

16 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. pressed delight that the NgREN that the trial access granted to platform was able to tackle the the NgREN by EBSCO would same issue by allowing the speak- bring back the good days, espe- ers to interact with the partici- cially as the agreement would pants, through video-conferenc- allow Nigerian universities free ing. He observed that the present access for up to six-month to full stage of the REN provided oppor- texts of e-Books and e-Journals. tunities for end-users to have ac- cess to e-Books, e-Journals, video The Chairman said that the and tele-conferencing, reiterating NgREN was a key driver in the that universities needed to sub- transformation of information scribe to the Network to enable and its availability in the univer- them enjoy cheap bandwidths sities, adding that with the cen- as the present situation whereby tral role of libraries in education they subscribed individually to and innovation, it offered oppor- Senator Binta Masi Garba tunities for them to be in a bet- Senate Committee Chairman on ter position to generate, organise Teritiary Education & TETFund and disseminate relevant infor- mation to their communities. He would offer additional access to observed some of the objectives researchers. While urging the of the Workshop to include: the nation’s universities to continue sensitisation and training of par- to take advantage of facilities at ticipants on the use of the EBSCO their disposal and to make ap- e-Book Academic Collection; propriate use of such to enhance and equipping Nigerian universi- quality, Malam Adamu called ties with the knowledge and fea- on the Institutions to imbibe the tures of the platform, including principles of fiscal responsibility the new EBSCO discovery ser- and value for money, by keying vice. He stated that one of the ad- into the success stories recorded vantages of EBSCO e-Book and with the NgREN. He identified the NUS as a critical component Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON in President Mohammadu Bu- NgREN Board Chairman & Executive Secretary, NUC hari’s administration’s determi- nation to leave a legacy of highly private providers was skilled manpower that could unduly expensive. support social and econom- ic development of the nation. Professor Okojie recalled that be- tween 2001 and 2005, Nigerian In his welcome remarks, the universities, with the support Chairman of NgREN Board, Pro- of the Open Society Initiative, fessor Julius A. Okojie, disclosed had access to EBSCO resources, that three resource persons from which expired and got revived at a EBSCO who were invited to train point, with support from the Ter- the participants, could not physi- tiary Education Trust Fund (TET- cally make it to the Workshop Fund) and lasted until 2009/2010, due to the challenges of procur- when there was no further sub- Dr. Joshua Atah ing travel visas. He, however, ex- Project Manager scription. He expressed the hope NgREN 17 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter Professor Okojie presenting an NgREN plaque to Professor Anwukah e-Journals was the fact that the resources and Nigerian univer- the country was reversed, with resources were current and cheap sities. She enjoined the institu- the repositioning of education. to reprint through the NgREN. tions to make adequate use of the resources for research pur- In a vote of thanks, NgREN Pro- In a goodwill message, the Chair- poses. While expressing satisfac- ject Manager, Dr. Joshua Atah, man, Senate Committee on Ter- tion that the e-learning resourc- expressed gratitude to the Hon- tiary Education and TETFund, es were being upgraded in her ourable Minister of Education as Senator Binta Masi Garba, re- time as Chairman of the Com- well as the NgREN Chairman, for marked that the NgREN, with mittee, Senator Garba said that their support, stressing that the its potentials, would serve as a her desire was to see that capital REN was expected to provide a middleman between EBSCO flight currently experienced in platform for an excellent collab-

EBSCO Vice-President, Ms. Colleen Mills, EBSCO’s Guy Robertson, speaking via teleconferencing. speaking via teleconferencing. 18 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. Journals, including animated pictures that stimulated research and were hugely available to any- one, anywhere. She added that: “It also makes available online printing of books to its clients and negotiates with individual universities on specific needs.”

Other online presentations at the Workshop focused on “EB- SCOhost Databases-Options for Nigerian Universities”, “Plum Analytics and how Alternative Metrics can assist Universities”, Some NUC Directors in front row and cross section of participants in the back- “Print books and online Books- ground, listening to one of the presentations Solutions EBSCO can provide through YBP”, “IEEE and other Publishers as well as practical oration that would enhance the ment, Nigerian universities had Session on How to Find Books” use of world-class resources for not been able to maintain their and “Articles on EBSCOhost.” teaching and learning in the NUS. subscriptions to the platform. Participants at the Workshop were She disclosed that stakeholders drawn from federal, state and In one online presentation, on “e- would now receive information private universities in Nigeria, Books-What EBSCO has to offer on the web content available in including the Vice-Chancellors and Considerations for Univer- EBSCOhost, the way it worked of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida sities”, EBSCO Vice-President, as well as the new technology at (IBB) University, Lapai, Niger Colleen Mills, noted that EB- the site. Ms. Mills informed par- State, Professor Nasir Maiturari, SCO had its presence in Nige- ticipants that the platform could and his University ria since the year 2000, but that provide access to e-Books and counterpart, Dr. Moses Zaruwa. due to changes in the environ-

Participants in a group photograph with Professor Anwukah, Senator Masi, Professor Okojie and Dr. Atah, after the Workshop was declared open by the Honourable Minister. 19 NgREN NgREN - Connecting great minds. newsletter ay ICTcorner Pl More work and a little fun... Did You Know? Technology Fast Facts :: 160 billion emails are sent daily, 97% of which are spam. :: :: Spammer get 1 response to every 12 million emails sent (yet, it makes them a small profit). :: :: Spam generates 33bn KWt-hours of energy every year, enough to power 2.4million homes. :: :: 9 out of every 1,000 computers are infected with spam. :: :: A twillionaire is a twitterer with a million or more followers. :: :: Facebook has more than 1.3 billion registered users; about 100 million of those are fake profiles. :: :: The first hard disk drive was created in 1979 by Seagate. It had a whopping 5MB capacity. :: :: People view 15 billion videos online every month. ::

:::: The first and still the oldest domain name to be :::: registered is Symbolics.com, it was registered on The two main components in Information Tech- March 15, 1986. nology are hardware and software. But there is :::: also a lesser known ‘grey’ component. This is the It took the radio 38 years and the television only software that is stored in hardware and cannot 13, but the Internet reached 50 million users in be modified easily. It is known as ‘firmware’. only 4 years. :::: ::::

Tell IT to the Geek Customer: “I can’t seem to connect to the Internet.” Tech Support: “Ah, right. What operating system are you running?” Customer: “Netscape.” Tech Support: “No. What version of Windows are you using?” Customer: “Uhhh... Hewlett Packard?” Tech Support: “No. Right Click on ‘My Computer,’ and select properties on the menu.” Customer: “Your computer? It’s my computer!”

culled from academictips.org

20 NgREN newsletter NgREN - Connecting great minds. Nigerian Research and Education Network Peter Okebukola Building National Universities Commission 26 Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja Tel: +234 (0) 94602960 email: [email protected] website: www.ngren.edu.ng For Subscriptions email: [email protected]