11TH REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE NCC: NIGERIAN YOUTHS TO EMBRACE AND HARNESS THE POTENTIALS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.

By Yunusa Abdullahi

The Honourable  Minister of  Communications, Innovation, Digital  Economy, Dr. Bosun  Tijani  has restated the  commitment  of  his ministry  to enhance  Nigerian's  participation  in the  global  technology 's  trade over the  next  Four  years.    

                                                          

 The  Minister  stated  this  in a key note address  at the  just concluded 11th  Regular  meeting of the  National  Council  on Communications, Innovation and  Digital  Economy  held at the  Coronation  Hall of the  Kano State  Government House.     

 

                                                                                               

According to the  Minister of Communications, the primary goal of the  present administration  under the  leadership of  President  Bola  Ahmed Tinubu  is committed to enhance  Nigerian's  participation in the global trade, stressing that  through  policies, the  government is  able to strengthen the  position as a technology hub.    

                                                                                                                              He  said that the  Federal Government  has identified  Nine priority policies for review, including  Nigerian's  National  broadband  plan, the National  Policy  on Digital  Public Infrastructure and the  National Policy on Telecommunications  amongst others.     

                                                                              

 The  Minister  also  revealed that  the  federal government  in its policy  document  set a broadband  penetration  target  of Fifty  per cent  of eligible individuals  with provision for  physical challenged for 2023, stressing  that the  federal government was also committed to build the critical  infrastructure required to  power a strong digital economy. 

                                                                            

He  however  said that  his Ministry will ensure broadband penetration,  Efficient  spectrum management  and the  right digital public infrastructure and reimagine the  postal service  for connectivity and  economic growth, adding that consideration on Innovation,  Entrepreneurship  and capital as fouth  pillars of the strategic blueprint, pointing out that the  Federal  Ministry of  Communications, Innovation  and Digital Economy  have outlined above set of initiatives  that  would  create Innovation and  develop  entrepreneurship  and capital for delivering a vibrant and  inclusive  society. 

                                                                                                                                                                    

 He then appreciated the Kano State Governor Engineer. Abba Kabir Yusuf  

or hosting the 11th Council meeting.   

                                                                                                                                                   

While  declaring the Council meeting  open, the  Kano State  Governor,  Engr. Abba  Kabir  Yusuf called on the  Honourable  Minister to facilitate the  commissioning of the  NCC  industrial  park constructed  by the  immediate  past  administration of former  President  Muhammadu Buhari  which  was completed  hundred  per cent  Abdullahi yet  to be commission and put to use.

Governor  Abba  Kabir  Yusuf thanked the  organisers of the  Council  meeting for choosing Kano for its 10th  Regular meetings.    

                                                                                                                                     During the week long  meeting,  participants  were  grouped into syndicates  to deliberate  on memo's  presented  by states, MDA's  and other  stakeholders  in the communication  sector  as well as  peer review  mechanism  on ICT  development  where  prizes  were  presented to the  overall  winners  who excelled in ICT development.

                                                                                                                        Adamawa  State  delegates including the Honourable  Commissioner of Information and Strategy. Mrs. Neido Geoffrey Kofulto, 

Permanent  Secretary, Director  ICT  and other Directors in the  Ministry ,General Managers of ABC and ATV, YOLA  were in attendance for the  week long event.

However, the Memo presented by Adamawa  delegates  was Recommended  and Approved by the  Council. 

                         

Council  members  also paid  a courtesy  call on His Royal  Highness,  the  Emir  of Kano  Alhaji  Aminu  Ado  Bayero at his palace  and visited some historical sites within  Kano metropolis.                   

A Communique  was also ratified at the end of the  council meeting.