NEWS: Nigeria, Africa:  A joint public/private-sector initiative to empower all Nigerians by making computers available throughout the country has been warmly welcomed by Intel, the global semiconductor design and engineering player. The initiative, known as Computer for All Nigerians (CANI), has been singled out by Mark Beckford, General Manager, Emerging Markets for Intel Corporation.

Mark Beckford made his comments at the launch of CANI, congratulating Nigerian President Obasanjo’s personal and dedicated support for an initiative which would help familiarise Nigerians with IT and thereby play a part in bridging the digital divide between Nigeria and the developed markets. CANI receives sponsorship from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as two companies, Intel itself and Microsoft.

Mr. Beckford continued by declaring how impressed Intel was to see President Obasanjo’s personal resolve to democratise the access of his country’s citizens to IT, a major force behind global economic growth. For him, no tool was more fundamental to economic, educational and professional success than the PC, the “essential appliance of our time” which helped people work more efficiently and productively, as well as communicate more effectively and explore the world.

Intel had developed an initiative called Discover the PC, aimed at breaking a “deadlock” whereby computers were too expensive and/or too complex for first-time users. And first-time users are those who stand to benefit the most from widespread PC adoption. Intel’s initiative would empower rural and semi-urban communities by bringing access to the global knowledge economy - long a key Intel objective.