By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Dr. Abimbola Alale, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO,
of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, CEOs of NITDA, NIMC, NIPOST and Galaxy Backbone, have applauded the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami on the glaring digital break-throughs of the Ministry under his purview since it was rechristened a year ago.
With the Theme, Digital Economy: A New Frontier for Economic Prosperity, the ceremony jointly organised by the ministry and partly virtually held in Abuja, attracted a wide spectrum of private sector players and stakeholders including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Computer Society of Nigeria (CSN), Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CIMON) and Institute of Software Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), who poured encomiums on the Minister on his digital strides, resilience and sagacity in Nigeria’s ICT and emerging Digital Space.
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In her brief remarks, the NIGCOMSAT boss, acknowledged that the renaming of the ministry to include Digital Economy has resulted in record-breaking developments through harnessing the digital potential skills of the youth into the global digital economy, policies being formulated by the Ministry.
She commended the Minister for achieving the goals and targets set within the short span of 12 months especially as it concerns the 10% increment of broadband penetration across the country that is being applauded.
On his part, Danbatta stressed that the change of nomenclature has advanced Nigeria’s digital culture, adding NCC have keyed into the ministry’s 8 pillars which encapsulate the deepening of Nigeria’s Broadband strategy for the rapid attainment of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Also, in his welcome address, President of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo while congratulating Pantami on the milestone achievement, also commended him for his tireless efforts in initiating and driving the digital economy policy, noting that the novel initiatives and strategies of the Minister have continued to catapult the sector to greater heights.
Mr. Teniola Olusola, President, of ATCON commended the synergy the Minister has brought to bear in the sector particularly in the resolution of conflicts which have ushered some unprecedented advancements in the sector.
He hailed Pantami as a resilient goal-getter who has continued to provide the needed leadership to the sector and an enabling environment for investors to thrive.
The Minister noted that it has become imperative for Nigeria to join the world in celebrating this day as the country has recorded giant strides in its digitalization efforts because of the UN declarations in 1972, endorsing October 24 every to echo the import of the evolving digital skills to drive global transformation.
While narrating the journey so far in the last 365 days, he disclosed that the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy are all-inclusive and take adequate cognizance of all sectors of the economy.
Pantami disclosed that the Ministry has put in place the necessary foundation to ensure a solid and robust digital economy as Digital skills take precedence over all considerations in today’s global society.
According to him the contributions of the ministry covers all ICT related activities and all digital services which include internet-driven process, e-commerce, online banking, ATM cards add up to 45% of the country’s GDP and not 17.38% as stated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
He added that the ministry is concluding plans to set up a National Artificial Intelligence to promote the country’s emerging technology as part of the evolving digital economy space.
He said since the launch of the Digital Nigeria Portal, 66,000 applicants have enrolled for various programs with 33,000 already certified.
Cumulatively, he added that over 114,000 applicants have been empowered under the various programs of the agencies and parastatals under the Ministry.
He also emphasized the need for preference to be given to indigenous IT products and services in line with Executive Orders 003 and 005 and called on indigenous innovators who feel unjustly sidelined in the procurement of IT services, to draw the attention of the relevant authorities in seeking redress.