Watch the VSAT equipment being installed

The ADEN Project:

ADEN is an international cooperation project designed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The goals of the ADEN project are to increase democratic access to the Internet, to supply training in use of new technologies, and to encourage an African production of website content.

Networking and PC's installed by the Technology and Communication Unit Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State.

VSAT equipment was supplied by a local retailer: Digital Device Solutions, 22 Omoka St. Port Harcourt.

Links:
	The ADEN Project
	Akassa ADEN page
Contacts:
	Akassa Development Foundation
	Akassa ADEN Centre
	INTECU

Downloads:
	Aden centre establishment technical report

Pro-Natura International (Nigeria)
37 Onne Rd
P.O. Box 7790
Port Harcourt
Nigeria
ph: +234 (0) 84 462510
fax: +234(0) 84 232748

The World Comes to Akassa.

Akassa is now at the centre of world, thanks to the opening of a cyber cafe providing internet access at the ADF Training and Resource Centre in Bekekiri.

The Akassa Development Foundation, with technical assistance by Pro-Natura International (Nigeria), was selected by the Embassy of France to host a pilot project in Nigeria. This centre, the first of the French Government's ADEN Programme in Nigeria, is a partnership agreement between the ADF and the Embassy of France in Nigeria. All parties have made significant contributions to ensure the Centre is successful.

Dr Mrs Josephine Igodo officially opens the centre. The official commissioning of
the Akassa ADEN Centre was held on 22 February 2005. On hand to officially open the ADEN centre was the Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Information, Dr. (Mrs) Josephine Igodo. She urged all residents of the Akassa Kingdom to ensure that they made full use of the facility and the capacity that now exists
in Akassa to access information
from anywhere around the world.

Also on hand at the ceremony were representatives of the Embassy of France in Nigeria: Mr. Pierre Barrott, and Ms. Savannah Detessieres, as well as local dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ADF, Chief Owolowo Biomoni Oweiga.

Chief O.B. Oweiga expressed the disbelief of many when he said that it was beyond his dreams that there would be internet in Akassa...but "since ADF started many unbelievable dreams have come true".

To fully commemorate the launch, Chief O. B. Oweiga prepared an email for His Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Olusagun Obasanjo, inviting him to come and experience Nigeria's focal point for participatory community development in Akassa. The letter was sent by way of the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Bayelsa, Mr Oronto Douglas.

Prior to the launch, four staff of ADF underwent intensive training and assisted in the development and networking of the systems. The networking and training was expertly conducted by the Information Technology and Communication Unit (INTECU), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Technicians from the Unit will be monitoring the Aden Centre to ensure its successful operation, and returning from time to time to provide additional training and technical support.

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