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The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced one of its flagship events to hold in Abuja Thursday, June 9, 2022.
The National Strategic Mobilization for the Actualization of National Broadband Target of 70% Conference & Exhibition holds with the theme: Realizing the new set target of 70% of Broadband Penetration.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, is expected to deliver the principal keynote address at the event.
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“It is imperative for the government and players in the telecoms & ICT ecosystem to leverage on various sub-groups under the membership of ATCON to ensure and guarantee that the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 is adequately positioned to deliver its ultimate purposes for the generality of Nigerians in a quicker and strategic manner.
“Traditionally, ATCON as an organization usually gives its members the opportunity to review and provide insightful approaches and solutions along with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Data Protection Bureau and State Governments as to what to be done to support various programmes and projects that are earmarked for the successful implementation of the previous National Broadband Plan under past ministers,” noted President of ATCON, Ikechukwu Nnamani in an official statement releae3d in Lagos this week.
He further stated: “The strategic objectives of this very important event are to compliment the various strategic activities already embarked upon by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and all the agencies under the Ministry to achieve the set target of Broadband penetration in Nigeria with great speed.
“To leverage on the wide spectrum of ATCON’ sub-groups for effective participation in the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 by giving them the opportunity to access the plan and suggest various ways to speed up the realization of the established target by the government and also serve as a veritable platform to galvanize the needed input that reflect the thinkings of the telecom and ICT sector. This is an opportunity to review the relevance of the Nigerian policy environment vis-a-vis the telecom operating environment.
The speakers liked up are: Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Engr Aliyu Aziz Abubakar, Director-General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau; and Ubale Ahmed Maska, Chair, Nigerian National Broadband Plan Implementation Steering Committee. They will all make presentations on the Overview of the New Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025 and status of implementation by their various organisations.
also expected are Executive Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel; Executive Governor, Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo; Executive Governor, Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri; Executive Governor, Ebonyi State, Dave Nweze Umahi; Executive Governor, Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma; Executive Governor, Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai; and Executive Governor, Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Others are Executive Governor, Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Executive Governor, Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello; Executive Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Executive Governor, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule; Executive Governor, Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun; , Executive Governor, Oyo State, Oluwaseyi Makind; Executive Governor, Rivers State, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; Executive Governor, Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni; and Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Mohammed Musa Bello.
The governors and minister are expected to make presentations on what their administrations are doing in terms of Right of Way, Ease of Doing Business, National Dig Once Policy and other strategic initiatives for the actualisation of digital economy in their respective states.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria is to make a brief presentation on the plan to create a special window for foreign exchange for telecom sector. Some banks have also been invited to react the presentation by CBN Governor on how they can increase the loan disbursement to the sector,” the ATCON’s president added.
He said “each sub-sector is an integral part of the entire ecosystem of the Nigerian telecom and ICT sector hence, there shall be paper presentations by representatives from the following Subsectors; MNOs; Submarine/Undersea Cable Operators/National Critical Infrastructure; Towers/Base Stations Providers; Internet Services Providers (ISP) – Wholesale Segment; Internet Services Providers (ISP) – Retail Segment; Satellite Operators; Manufacturers’ Representative; Over The Top (OTT) Players; Data Centre Operators; Metro-Fibre Operators; Cloud Computing; Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Operators; FINTECH/e-Commerce Operators; eGovernment Services Providers and Value Added Services Providers (VAS).”
