Plans are being initiated to accelerate technology development in the South East part of the Country.
Techdev Summit 2016 which was held in Enugu State is one of the platforms by Technology Experts and the Government as well as private agencies, to drive home the message of technology advancement in the region. Correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that the event organized by a consortium of association of licensed telecom companies of Nigeria, Nigeria Computer Society, Nigeria Communication Week and TechSmart Ng, in partnership with Anambra Broadcasting Service, and other groups, was geared towards changing the perception of Ndi Igbo on Information Communication Technology. The Summit rose with many resolutions, which among others include establishment of technology hubs and rapid expansion of broadband in all States of the South East region, with the help of the State governors. Speaking to the ABS, the Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said that part of the role of the government is to create an enabling environment, with the vast technology potentials in Africa, for innovations to thrive, and cautioned against being consumers than producers, which seems to be the order of the day.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Engineer Greg Nnaji, the Governor highlighted some initiatives of the Enugu State government in ICT development, including a recent waiver for and accommodation of Galaxy Backbone of the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, to build a data station which is already up and running, reiterating that State governments can raise a lot of Internally Generated Revenue through ICT development, if properly harnessed.
Speaking on the Occasion, the erstwhile Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission, Engineer Ernest Ndukwe said he is identifying with the event because of the importance he attaches to ICT development in a world he best described as the knowledge Society, pointing out the need for high standard training development of the young people to make them employable Internationally.                     Â
Delivering a paper, the Director of Delta State Innovation Hub and Past President of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr Chris Uwaje stressed that no State succeeds without a sustainable framework for innovation and technology in this Century.
He added that there is increased need for Policy Makers to address the issue to ensure that every policy or program has its technological component for sustainability. Presentations as well as brainstorming sessions, blended to drum home the need for the South East to emerge and advance in the world of Technology, for the socio-politico and economical emancipation of the people of the region.
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