NIRA eNewsletter

NIGERIA INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM (NIGF) 2015 – RETROSPECT

The 2015 edition of the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF) held between the 20th and 21st of July 2015 at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Jabi District, Abuja, Nigeria, with the main theme: “Harnessing the Potential of Internet Governance for sustainable Development in Nigeria”. The pre-event, which was a Youth workshop held on the 20th of July 2015 with the theme “Internet of Everything and Your Business Opportunity”. The aim being to stimulate the youth and their interest in the opportunities the Internet provides. Several business opportunities were discussed, and several success stories outlined to encourage the Youth on available prospects. They were made to understand the importance of the Internet as a base for entrepreneurship, having successful brands and creating job opportunities. The youth were informed that with over 3billion Internet users worldwide, they definitely have a large audience to market their successful brands. NIGF aims to encourage proper usage and conduct on the Internet.

The Youth session was chaired by Dr. Nasiru Shehu Zarummai, Hon Commissioner, Federal Character Commission. The Director General, National Information Technology Department Agency, DG NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack declared the Youth programme open, stating that NITDA had plans in place to create 1.2 million jobs across the country for the youth through ICT opportunities. He explained further, that NITDA plans to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry and other agencies to create these opportunities.

The events of 21st July 2015 were chaired by Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

This year’s forum with the theme: “Harnessing the Potential of Internet Governance for sustainable Development in Nigeria”, brought about dialogue amongst stakeholders on how the Internet Governance Ecosystem potentials should be harnessed for Nigerian economic growth and ability for sustenance. Permit me to say the Internet has come of age in Nigeria. We must now take the bull by the horn and harness its potentials for our people.

The outcome of the forum will further enhance consensus building among stakeholders on the framework for Internet governance in Nigeria, address the nation’s most critical and evolving issues on Internet governance, while advancing the nation’s position at the regional and global IGF Forum.

The .NG domain name is very important in the future of our Internet governance. We shall continue to support the governance forum and at NiRA, we shall always do our best to safeguard Nigeria and mobilize all the stakeholders to build to a secure and seamless future for Nigeria on the Internet.

Your President,
Sunday Folayan

CHOOSING .NG DOMAIN NAME - BRANDING STRATEGY FOR SMEs

The Internet is a very powerful platform that has transformed the way we communicate and the way we do business.
Internet Branding (also referred to as online branding) is a Brand management technique that uses the World Wide Web as a medium for positioning a brand in the marketplace. The use of Internet branding for your business, gives your business an edge over competitions, thereby increasing the volume of sales as well as distinguishing your products and services from others.

The benefit of choosing a .NG domain name, as Internet branding for a small scale business in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized because the use of .NG will easily identify the domain as belonging to Nigerian business or entrepreneur. With optimization of the search engine, the name of your business would always pop up first when people search for your type/brand of business.

Subsequently, the Internet has proven to be a potent, reliable, fast and wide-spread tool for dissemination of information. Branding Strategy entails HOW, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and to WHOM you plan on communicating and delivering on your brand messages. Be consistent with your brand, be true to your brand, select your target audience online; Do not overlook the importance of Email Marketing and the Use Of Social Media.

There are several pitfalls to avoid, which include refreshing your strategies with current trends. Re-evaluating your efforts, discarding non-productive ones, improving on productive efforts and introducing new ideas. For existing businesses wishing to forge ahead in Nigeria, get your .NG domain name. Remember you are only as good as your last performance. You need to keep reinventing your brand to be ahead of the competition!

Various companies have also taken advantage of Internet branding by using the .NG domain name hereby improving the traffic to their website. Some of these companies include: www.slot.ng, www.etisalat.com.ng, www.google.com.ng, www.google.ng, www.jumia.com.ng, www.hotels.ng, www.tolet.com.ng etc.

NiRA has developed different strategies to enable entrepreneurs develop their businesses. This includes trainings on the rudiments of web design, marketing campaigns and Internet Branding. Take advantage of these today, and watch your businesses take off, to greater heights!

ICANN searching for its next CEO

The ICANN Board of Directors has commenced the search for a new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Fadi Chehadé plans to depart ICAN after the ICANN public meeting in March 2016. A search committee was set up, in June 2015, to plan and execute a strategy to identify CEO candidates. All candidate inquiries must be directed to Odgers Berndtson with contact Email icann-ceo@odgersberndtson.be
Remember, ICANN is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers with a global public interest mission to promote the stability and security of the global Internet through coordination of the unique identifiers that comprise its naming and addressing systems - numbers, names, and protocol parameters.
The candidate must be a public interest-minded leader with a combination of business, diplomatic and organizational skills to assume the leadership of ICANN, a successful multi-stakeholder organization.
ICANN an equal opportunity employer requires applicants to submit their current curriculum vitae and a cover letter latest by 20^th September 2015.
The ICANN website (http://www.icann.org) provides extensive information about the organization and the way it works.

NiRA Resource Centre Attractions

The Training Hall, Conference Room and Cafeteria at NiRA, 8 Funsho Williams Avenue, Iponri, Surulere, Lagos, are available for hire to NiRA Stakeholders and members for corporate events in the Domain Name System Industry, training, board meetings, business breakfast, business luncheon and related business fora in the Domain Name Business.
The Training Hall has the capacity to seat 100 people and the promo rental fee is N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) from 8am to 5pm.
The Conference Room can accommodate 30 people and the promo rental fee is N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira Only) from 8am to 5pm.
The Cafeteria is available only to those hosting approved functions.
The promo which started from 1^st May 2015 would last until 31^st October 2015.
Terms and Conditions apply. For more details, please call +234(0) 700 CALL-NIRA and +234(0)8172004272. Email: admin@nira.org.ng and coo@nira.org.ng

A Message From The President