21st Century, Schneider Disrupt Technology, Announce Tier 4 Data Centre
In a move that will yield to the everchanging business model and advancement in technology, Nigeria’s information technology power house, 21st Century Technologies, has entered into strategic partnership with Schneider Electric to launch the first-ever Tier 4 data centre in Nigeria.
The innovation being the first also in Africa is a major boost to the country’s technology profile which would further draw huge investment to the country.
A tier 4 data centre is reputed to be fault-tolerant, allows for the occurrence of any unplanned activity while maintaining operations with a facility that guarantees absence of failure. 21st Century Technologies is bringing onboard an innovation that experiences just 26.3 minutes of downtime per year, a giant improvement over tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 digital centres that experience 28.8, 22 and 1.6 hours downtime per year respectively.
The partnership deal was consummated at a business luncheon themed, ‘Technology and Business Efficiency’ hosted by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on this stride, Chief Executive Officer of 21st Century Technology, Wale Ajisebutu, explained that the resolve of the company to build five tier 4 digital centres across strategic locations in Lagos State was to ensure that each business district in the state had access to data centre that would further drive commercial operations.
According to him, the centres which were sited at Apapa, Maryland, Ikeja, Surulere and Lekki would become fully operational before the end of the year to serve different sectors of the economy including SMEs.
Ajisebutu, who noted that available data centres in the country were not enough when compared to technology evolution paving the way for big data and advanced solutions, stressed that the firm was partnering with a world-class company to build a world-class infrastructure.
He said, “Our aim at 21st Century is to revolutionalise ICT practice in Nigeria and this is why we are bringing this innovation for the benefits of every one at a cheaper rate. Our facilities boast of latest sophisticated equipment, applications, security infrastructure, etc. at a convenient price. Customers are at liberty to pay for service as they consume and also make payments in local currency.”
He also dwelt on the need for the country and indeed business entities to tighten their noose security-wise as cybercrime would continue to threaten business existence.
Affirming Ajisebutu’s submission, Director, Sales and Marketing, 21st century Technology, Assan Cham, maintained that the more digitalised and connected the economy, the more important it was to secure the cyberspace.
According to the Nigerian Information Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria suffered about 2,175 cyberattacks in 2015; about 14% of 97m internet users in Nigeria suffered attacks, which necessitated the setting up of the Cyber Security Committee.
“During the past year, 21st Century Technologies under the leadership of Mr. Ajisebutu Wale, has continued to invest in infrastructure and bring forth solutions to market that will support local and international companies in Nigeria to mitigate and prevent such cyberattacks with Schneider electric which is a member of the Franco-Nigerian chambers of commerce and industry to build Tier IV data centre in Lagos.
Schneider Electric shall provide the EcoStruxure ITTM solutions for all the centres and this according to the company’s General Manager Mr. Balaji Lenka offers cost-saving opportunities and innovative solutions.
“We have indeed remained committed to the development of innovative and costeffective energy solutions. This partnership is a testimony and we will definitely deliver,” he said.
To strengthen its commitment towards inspiring children and teenagers, premium clothing brand, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, has released a video to launch its #Listen2me2 campaign.
Released on Children’s Day, the video was in line with the brand’s desire to advocate for kids, as well as start a conversation online and offline on the importance of listening to kids and giving them room to voice their opinions and ideas without being restricted by their parents and guardians.
Speaking on this initiative, Chief Responsibility Officer of the firm, Adenike Ogunlesi expressed that children are precious gift, hence, they should be given limitless opportunities to enable them fulfilled their purpose.
“There’s so much noise in the world today. It’s very easy for children to get confused when no one is guiding and nurturing their growth, especially their values and mindset. With so many confusing messages, parents/guardians need to actively engage children through everyday activities that ensure there is great communication between both parties. Despite our cultural norms that very often shut children down, we need to develop a new culture that listens and encourages engagement with today’s child.
“Listening to children becomes important considering the recent increase in suicide rates among kids and teens. Findings by Time Health show that most of the children who died by suicide in recent times had attention problems. Another study by the School of Information at University of Michigan shows that while children have opinions or feelings they would like to share with their parents and guardians, they often feel their parents would either disregard their opinions or not understand them”.
Child Advocate, Ronke Adeniyi added, “Parents and guardians need to find a way to listen to their children and be able to understand and handle whatever they tell them. As the world continues to change, children now have more access to information that has the capacity to influence them.”
Ruff & Tumble implores everyone to join the conversation by following the hashtag #Listen2me2 in order to raise awareness on the need to give children a voice and help them develop themselves.