Internet Solutions to provide direct access to Google’s Cloud Platform

Internet Solutions, a pan-African communications service provider, today announced it is a Google Cloud Interconnect (GCI) Partner and is able to offer Enterprise clients and small businesses a private connection directly into Google’s cloud platform, providing better network security and a more consistent network performance than using the Internet.

Internet Solutions’ clients, enterprise size and smaller businesses, will be able to activate Google cloud services quickly via dedicated capacity, eliminating issues of network congestion, and will benefit from low latency, high availability and predictable performance.



“Agile and secure network capabilities are critical in ensuring that as clients transition to using more and more services from multiple cloud providers, the full potential of cloud including speed of scaling and activating services, as well as commodity based billing and usage efficiencies are realised,” said Greg Montjoie, Executive: Connectivity, Internet Solutions.

Internet Solutions’ direct connections with multiple cloud service providers (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Dimension Data) will enable Enterprise clients that choose a hybrid cloud strategy and host with Internet Solutions to move back and forth seamlessly between different cloud providers as demand requires. Organisations will be able to choose the services they require from their cloud-provider of choice and be able to scale up or down on demand via a reliable and secure connection.

“Enterprise clients are now looking to connect to more than one cloud provider for services and that we are now able to offer a direct connection to Google’s cloud platform, as well as to Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and Dimension Data cloud, means that clients have the choice they are looking for. Clients want to have access not only to the best cloud services available but be able to connect securely to all of them, and Internet Solutions can provide this access”, commented Montjoie.

As a GCI Partner, Internet Solutions can now boast that it provides secure connectivity options to all major cloud platforms, offering Enterprise and smaller business clients a reliable and secure connection that will meet the demands of data intensive and latency sensitive cloud applications.

COMESA and Microsoft collaborate to promote access, skills and innovation in 19 African Countries

The strategic partnership will promote access to technology to improve regional trade, develop public sector ICT skills and promote local innovation for better service delivery.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) through the COMESA Business Council (CBC) and Microsoft have taken a step toward strengthening their working alliance today by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets out how they will collaborate in the areas of access to technology, development of relevant skills and the fostering of innovation in COMESA’s 19 member States. This is in line with the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative’s three core focus areas (World-class skills, Access and Innovation).


Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, surrounded by The Microsoft Nigerian Team during their courtesy visit to Aso Villa today 10th November, 2015

The MoU will promote access to technology to COMESA Member States based on a Trusted Cloud Infrastructure that focuses on the secure deployment of modern IT operations. It is also expected this collaboration will accelerate and promote the adoption of innovative high-speed low-cost connectivity initiatives, including through new policy approaches to spectrum management such as dynamic spectrum access. It will also encourage the use of cloud technologies through the adoption of important enabling policies in the areas of cyber-security, data privacy and data protection.

Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya, COMESA’s Secretary General during the signing, said: “Business technology has revolutionized the way countries and firms conduct business. We are in an age where the planning processes of organizations is through instruments and solutions that promote quality management, and respond to age –old constraints of time limitations and high costs of operations.”

“Through Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, we have been working to increase regional trade and the growth of the knowledge economy in Africa,” says Antony Cook, Associate General Counsel, Legal and Corporate AffairsMicrosoft, Middle East and Africa. “Through influential partnerships, such as the one with COMESA, we aim to scale across the region further to impact not just thousands, but millions.”

The collaboration is further expected to focus on fostering innovation across the COMESA region by promoting the value and protection of Intellectual Property. It will also encourage the development of eGovernment solutions that will facilitate, simplify and stimulate investment in and trade across the COMESA region to save on time and the cost of complying with business governance and regulations. This collaboration fits squarely with COMESA’s mandate and demonstrates the commitment to promote common interests for economic development in the region.

“Through this collaboration, we will bring policy makers and businesses together and empower them to take advantage of the cloud-first, mobile-first world. With the right policies and regulations in place, people will be encouraged to use cloud technology, develop their own IP and ultimately participate in trade and e-commerce across borders. With innovative eGovernment services, citizens and businesses will additionally benefit from safe online transactions, open borders, efficiency and increased foreign investment,” adds Cook.

The implementation of the MoU will be the responsibility of the COMESA Business Council, as the voice of the private sector in the region.

SPANFest 2015

The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria, SPAN presents its performing arts Festival called Spanfest 2015! Spanfest will host workshops and events using various tools of the performing arts including Dance, Music, Spoken Word, Visual art, Theatre and Comedy. The festival theme is titled: Voice of the Voiceless.



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
· Monday 16thNovember 2015: Movements in Moments
A pioneering 5 stage show where a Violinist, Poet, Comedian, Singer & Dancer perform simultaneously while painters create masterpieces.
Venue: The Ocean View Marquee, Victoria Island, Time:7-9pm, Register Here:http://bit.ly/SPANfest-moments

· Tuesday 17thNovember 2015: Speechless – A Musical Adventure
An adventure through jazz with famous guest artists, Tee Mac, Bright Gain, Jerry Omole, and Olufunmi taking us on an unforgettable journey of love for music and sounds.
Venue: The Ocean View Marque, Victoria Island. Time: 7- 9pmRegister Here:http://bit.ly/SPANfest-speechless

· 18th November 2015: Hear Word!

HEAR WORD!An exhilarating and thought provoking performing art production of IfeomaFafunwa.The production combines artistry, social commentary and true-life stories of inequality and transformation, delivered by Nigeria's talented actresses TaiwoAjai-Lycett, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Bimbo Akintola, Omonor, ElvinaIbru, Ufuoma McDermott, Zara Udofia, LalaAkindoju, Rita Edward, Debbie Ohiri and Odenike.
Venue: The Ocean View Marquee, Victoria Island, Time:7-9pm, Register Here:http://bit.ly/SPANfest-word

· 21st November 2015: The Era (Era of Legends)
This amazing dance concert featuring legends from within our community will leave the audience breathless and thoroughly entertained. Venue: The Ocean View Marque, Victoria Island.Time: 7-9 pm.Register Here:http://bit.ly/SPANfest-ldc

· 22nd November 2015: Grand Finale – Voice of the Voiceless
A performing art piece of Music, Dance & Drama. The gifted performances of our artists who have decided to speak for us ...their art become our voice.... the voice of our community!Venue: Grand Ballroom Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island. Time:5pm. Register Here:http://bit.ly/SPANfest-event.

Denrele Edun, Maria Okarende, Estelle Ahanda, DNG & Aurelie Eliam To Host 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA.

The 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, would be anchored by the continent's most outstanding hosts and hostesses. While DNG and AURELLE ELIAM will host the main show, DENRELE EDUN, MARIA OKANRENDE and ESTELLE AHONDA would hold forth on the RED CARPET on Sunday November 15, 2015 at Eko Hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
DNG, real name Davidson Ngibuini, is an Eastern African award winning singer, model and an On Air Personality. He is the host of "Sakata Mashariki", Kenya's biggest Dance TV Show.

Aurelie Eliam, actress, model and on air personality, is a household name in Côte D'Ivoire, her home country and Africa, particularly for her role in the highly successful television series, "DR. BORIS".



Denrele Edun, multi-award winning presenter is a marvel to behold on the red carpet, is a maverick Nigerian presenter whose dress sense has brought him international fame. Popularly referred to as "Punk and Fun", Denrele has the enviable profile of interviewing such personalities like Beyoncé, Akon, Tyler Perry, Lil Kim, Snoop Dog now Snoop Lion, etc.

Maria Okanrende AKA, Maria Beat Fm, is a well groomed UK trained presenter with a vast experience working with BBC, MTV and DROPOUT UK. Her interviews profiles read like the who is who in "A" list entertainment. Alexander Burke Mary J Blige Wizkid, D'Banj, 2Face, Davido are fe of those she had walked the red carpet with. A bonus for AFRIMA 2015, RED CARPET.

Estelle AHONDA is a Cameroonian bilingual (English/French) communications and brand management expert. She comes with an over ten years of International experience in media and interpersonal communications.
AFRIMA is expected to be broadcast live to over 80 countries across the world with African superstars billed to light up the stage are but not limited to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Olamide, Yemi Alade, Busiswa, AKA, Sakordie, Charlotte Dipanda, Ahmed Soultan, Flavour, Dr. Jose Chameleon, Alikiba, Vanessa Mdee, Wiyaala, Cassper Nyovest, Dark Suburb, Bebe Cool, Darey, among others.
AFRIMA Is an Annual African Union Initiative, to celebrate, honour and reward the best of African Music, Arts and Culture. AFRIMA is designed to be hosted in various African Nations with Nigeria hosting for 3 years. 2Face Idibia hosted 2014 AFRIMA edition, in Lagos.
This year's event slated for Sunday November 15, inside the CONVENTION CENTRE OF EKO HOTELS AND SUITES, will kick off with the RED CARPET at 4.30pm, promptly
A thoroughly well produced second to none ceremony, feature awards categories that are uniquely African.