Dotng domain name will promote local content — NIRA

The President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association(NIRA), Mr Sunday Folayan, on Friday said that using the dotng (.ng) domain name would promote local content.

Folayan, in a statement, said that Nigeria had unique local content ranging from Nollywood, Kannywood, diverse languages and other heritage and tourist attractions, among others, which could be put online.

He said that without content, there would be any motivation for anyone to embrace the internet, hence, the need for local contents, under the .ng domain names.

According to him, two major channels instrumental to the development and promotion of content on the internet are the Domain Name System (DNS) and Web Hosting.

“The DNS is integral to the internet, providing a way to match names (of websites) to numbers (IP Address of the websites), whilst web hosting provides connectivity to the internet and housing/computer storage space for the websites.

“I was privileged to be invited to an online forum of some Yoruba traditional rulers in Nigeria, who are committed to promoting the rich linguistic, artistic and cultural heritage of their people.

“With the widespread adoption of the Internet, what better way to reach their subjects and the world at large?

“Simply put, technology meets tradition and tradition has gone ahead to embrace technology. They are beginning to assemble their content, and a silent revolution is brewing,” he said.

Folayan said that with the deepening level of internet penetration in Nigeria, there were still many Nigerians who patronised foreign companies for these services.

He said the use of other domain names by Nigerians, apart from the .ng domain name for their websites or use of foreign hosting companies meant capital flight and does not promote local content.

“Promoting local content therefore starts with an .ng domain name. It is a task for everyone, so let us work together to get our local content online using our own products and services,” the NIRA president added.