Nigerian Internet group seeks affiliation with world body
By Basil Okafor
Monday, April 25, 2005

A Nigerian group, the Nigerian Internet Users Coalition (NIUC)
has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and Numbers (ICANN) for approval as the Nigerian “At-Large-Structure”, (ALS) the group that foster local involvement and participation in the activities of the global Internet coordinating agency.

Ahead of granting the approval of the Nigerian group, ICANN had recently posted the NIUC’s application on its website in the spirit of subjecting its activities to public scrutiny.

National Coordinator, NIUC, Adetokunbo Abiola, said the group based in Benin City, “is a national Non governmental organisation committed to the increased use of the Internet in Nigeria. Its membership is open to people from the 36 states of the country.”

NUIC expressed interest in ICANN-related issues like management of domain names in Nigeria, Africa and the world in general; informed participation in discussion on management of domain names; dissemination of information on management of domain names; keeping members informed about ICANN meetings and issues and participation in ICANN discussions

Additionally, he added that, “Currently, it has over 30 active members and a total membership of over a hundred. It is a coalition of community networking groups, Internet civil society organisations, consumer advocacy groups and the media. Knowing the shortcomings of the ICT revolution in Nigeria, it hopes to inspire community ICT centres in rural areas in the country, in a bid to bridge the digital divide and to bring development to the doorsteps of the masses.”

The ICANN Board of Directors had, on June 26 2003, approved a framework for the formation of local and regional At-Large groups to promote structured involvement and informed participation of the global individual Internet user community in ICANN.

Following the decision, its Interim At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) had invited interested, qualified groups in all geographic regions, to file applications to become “At-Large Structures” that will be groups throughout the world. They would either exist as organisations or newly formed for this purpose, focusing on participation by individual Internet users at the local or issue level.

“When there are sufficient At-Large Structures in a geographic region, (Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America) these groups can form a Regional At-Large Organisation (RALO). The five RALOs will act as the main forum and coordination point in each region, for public input to ICANN and will select 10 members of the ALAC. The ALAC provides advice to ICANN’s Board and other constituencies on the activities of ICANN that relate to the interests of individual Internet users”, the Internet coordinating body had said.

NIUC said it is eligible to champion Nigeria’s local participation as, “Expression of interest in the aims and aspirations as well as goals of the coalition is a necessary prerequisite to being a member of the group. This interest is communicated to the coordinator who approves, subject to agreement of members of the coalition. Membership confers right to hold positions in the association.”

According to Abiola, “Nigerian Internet Users Coalition was formed in 2004. A meeting was held at the Press Centre, Benin City to deliberate on the functions and aspirations of the group, as well as reach agreement on these issues. This was followed by an election in which the following were elected: Adetokunbo Abiola (Coordinator), Vahid Ashu (Secretary), Kate Ehigalua (Treasurer) and Johnson Omoifo (Assistant Secretary).”

NUIC, which gave its address as 1, Reservation Road, Government Reservation Area, Benin City, Nigeria, said it is yet to build a website. However, NUIC said that, “information concerning activities of the coalition and issues of interest to“Internet users are put regularly on its newsletter. Members communicate with each other through a mailing list and express their opinion on issues of interest through it. An annual report of the coalition to be presented at the end of the year in a general meeting is being planned.”

NUIC said its primary goal and mission is to enable informed participation by individual members on issues of interest to Internet end-users in Nigeria; promote individual understanding of issues such as ccTLDs and ccTLDs as they concern Nigeria, Africa and the world and coordinate opinion on Internet number resources forum.
A Nigerian group, the Nigerian Internet Users Coalition (NIUC)
has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and Numbers (ICANN) for approval as the Nigerian “At-Large-Structure”, (ALS) the group that foster local involvement and participation in the activities of the global Internet coordinating agency.
Ahead of granting the approval of the Nigerian group, ICANN had recently posted the NIUC’s application on its website in the spirit of subjecting its activities to public scrutiny.

National Coordinator, NIUC, Adetokunbo Abiola, said the group based in Benin City, “is a national Non governmental organisation committed to the increased use of the Internet in Nigeria. Its membership is open to people from the 36 states of the country.”

NUIC expressed interest in ICANN-related issues like management of domain names in Nigeria, Africa and the world in general; informed participation in discussion on management of domain names; dissemination of information on management of domain names; keeping members informed about ICANN meetings and issues and participation in ICANN discussions
Additionally, he added that, “Currently, it has over 30 active members and a total membership of over a hundred. It is a coalition of community networking groups, Internet civil society organisations, consumer advocacy groups and the media. Knowing the shortcomings of the ICT revolution in Nigeria, it hopes to inspire community ICT centres in rural areas in the country, in a bid to bridge the digital divide and to bring development to the doorsteps of the masses.”

The ICANN Board of Directors had, on June 26 2003, approved a framework for the formation of local and regional At-Large groups to promote structured involvement and informed participation of the global individual Internet user community in ICANN.

Following the decision, its Interim At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) had invited interested, qualified groups in all geographic regions, to file applications to become “At-Large Structures” that will be groups throughout the world. They would either exist as organisations or newly formed for this purpose, focusing on participation by individual Internet users at the local or issue level.
“When there are sufficient At-Large Structures in a geographic region, (Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America) these groups can form a Regional At-Large Organisation (RALO). The five RALOs will act as the main forum and coordination point in each region, for public input to ICANN and will select 10 members of the ALAC. The ALAC provides advice to ICANN’s Board and other constituencies on the activities of ICANN that relate to the interests of individual Internet users”, the Internet coordinating body had said.

NIUC said it is eligible to champion Nigeria’s local participation as, “Expression of interest in the aims and aspirations as well as goals of the coalition is a necessary prerequisite to being a member of the group. This interest is communicated to the coordinator who approves, subject to agreement of members of the coalition. Membership confers right to hold positions in the association.”

According to Abiola, “Nigerian Internet Users Coalition was formed in 2004. A meeting was held at the Press Centre, Benin City to deliberate on the functions and aspirations of the group, as well as reach agreement on these issues. This was followed by an election in which the following were elected: Adetokunbo Abiola (Coordinator), Vahid Ashu (Secretary), Kate Ehigalua (Treasurer) and Johnson Omoifo (Assistant Secretary).”
NUIC, which gave its address as 1, Reservation Road, Government Reservation Area, Benin City, Nigeria, said it is yet to build a website. However, NUIC said that, “information concerning activities of the coalition and issues of interest to“Internet users are put regularly on its newsletter. Members communicate with each other through a mailing list and express their opinion on issues of interest through it. An annual report of the coalition to be presented at the end of the year in a general meeting is being planned.”

NUIC said its primary goal and mission is to enable informed participation by individual members on issues of interest to Internet end-users in Nigeria; promote individual understanding of issues such as ccTLDs and ccTLDs as they concern Nigeria, Africa and the world and coordinate opinion on Internet number resources forum.