National ICT Roadmap Workshop For Southeast Holds In Awka

The Minister of Communication, Dr. Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu says the federal government is committed to ensuring that the ICT sector realises its full potential as a viable alternative to the
diversification of the economy.

Dr. Shittu made this known during the Second Phase Sensitization Workshop on National ICT Roadmap for the South East Region held in Awka.

The sensitization workshop has its theme “The Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of the Nigeria ICT Roadmap”.

Delivering his keynote address, the Minister explained that without effective involvement of the private sector in the implementation of the roadmap 2017 to 2020, its efficacy as a tool for harnessing the potentials of the sector will end up in mixed results, as efficiency, expertise and speed can go a long way in complementing efforts in the development process.

Dr. Shittu maintained that the sensitization programme has been deliberately planned by the Ministry as part of its roadmap engagements in furtherance to its desire to broaden continuous
consultations with stakeholders in the private sector.

He added that Nigeria now boasts of one hundred and fifty two million active telephone lines which are more subscribers than the United Kingdom as well as ninety seven million connections to the internet, which places the country to have one hundred and seven percent tele density.

Speaking on behalf of the Anambra state government, the Secretary to the State Government Professor Solo Chukwulobelu said that the workshop is timely and affirmed that the Willie Obiano administration is highly ICT compliant in its day to day activities, and urged the federal government to revive the nation’s energy sector as ICT cannot thrive very well without adequate power supply.

The Anambra State Commissioner For Tertiary Education, Science and Innovation Professor Theresa Nkechi Obiekezie in her address pointed out, that in moving towards knowledge driven society, there is increased recognition that technological advancements and innovations has enhanced the speed and intensity of globalization and liberation of all sectors of the economy.

Goodwill messages came from the Nigerian Communications Commission and Nipost among other relevant organizations, while the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Entrepreneurship Mr Ifeanyi Aniago equally attended the workshop.