Olusola Bello
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy at the weekend commissioned batch nine of seven digital Economy Projects.
The seven Digital Economy Projects commissioned by the minister include the Community ICT Centre, Dutse, Jigawa State, North West, IT Hub Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, for the North East, Digital Economy Centre, Imo State Polytechnic, South East, Digital Economy Centre, Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, North Central, Digital Economy Centre, Ojodu Grammar School, Ojodu, Lagos State, South West, Emergency Communication Centre, Enugu, Enugu State, South East and the Emergency Communication Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West.
According to a statement signed by Phil Abiamuwe-Mowete, Head (Press & Public Relations) the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami while commissioning the projects in the ultra modern conference centre of the National Communications Commission’s (NCC) Building in Abuja on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari said that the projects which cut across several geopolitical zones were executed by the Parastatals as part of the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria which is in line with the Economic Development Road Map of Nigeria and the present Administration’s focal points of Economic development, Security and the eradication of corruption.
According to him, the ICT Parks and Digital Economy are more incline to economy development, fighting corruption and building the capacity of citizens, especially the youths while also encouraging them to migrate from manual traditional activities to online activities.
He noted that the Federal Government has also approved the National Policy on virtual engagement which has recently been institutionalized particularly in government circles. He stated that through virtual activities, lots of government’s resources are being saved and other hazards associated with physical travels are being reduced.
He further said that the plan of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration is to have Emergency Communication Centres in every state of the Federation, including the FCT to effectively cater for emergency needs as occasion demands.
The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy Agencies’ Directors-General, Postmaster General of the Federation and the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, among others were present at the virtual commissioning ceremony and delivered their goodwill messages respectively.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Festus Daudu, an engineer, while giving his vote of thanks remarked that these projects that are being commissioned are in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy of the Present Administration; noting that government’s intention of spreading these projects across the country is to avail the youths the opportunity of having direct access to the centres as well as improving themselves in ICT.
He further said that the ICT Centres will support voluntary and community-based organizations with their technology needs and avail the general public the opportunities of using the computer for their ICT benefits and research works; these will get them meaningfully engaged and productive.