It was good news last week when ICANN announced an important milestone towards the IANA Stewardship Transition. On March 14, 2014, the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) asked ICANN to convene the global Internet community to develop proposals to transition the stewardship of the IANA functions to the multi-stakeholder community. It also called for enhancements to ICANN’s accountability mechanisms. The Names, Numbers and Protocols Community went to work, fashioning out an acceptable proposal to The U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Now, NTIA has released a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals. It is pleasant to note that NTIA accepted that the community-developed proposals met its stringent criteria. It is an important recognition of the entire community and its tireless work to reach this important milestone. Nigeria and Nigerians participated actively by making important contributions towards the IANA Stewardship Transition. By these contributions, we are safeguarding the interest of the future generation of Nigerians, and ensuring that Nigeria’s voice is heard globally.
This important NTIA announcement happened right in the middle of the AFRINIC Annual General Members’ Meeting (AGMM) in Gaborone, Botswana where I gave an account of the stewardship of the AFRINIC Board that I had chaired for the past two years.
I was re-elected for another term of 3 years as a Board member, to the West African Seat. Also elected was Haitham Z. El Nakhal of Egypt to the North African seat and Seun Ojedeji of Nigeria to a Non-Regional/Independent Seat.
By the time you read this, The first Nigeria International Technology Exhibition & Conference (NITEC 2016) holding at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State will already be underway. I will be speaking on Internet of Things, along with other speakers such as Yele Okeremi, CEO Precise Financial Systems; Prof Pat Utomi, Senior Faculty Lagos Business School; Tunde Coker, CEO Rack Centre; Juliet Ehimuan, Country Manager, Google amongst others. The special guest of honour is Barrister Adebayo Shittu, the Honourable Minister of Communications. This important event would provide opportunities for further awareness creation of the .ng brand, Nigeria online identity. NIRA will have a booth at the event.
You are all welcome to visit either on Thursday 23rd or Friday 24th June 2016. See you there!
Your President,
Rev’d Sunday Folayan