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Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, was recently honoured with the prestigious 2020 Minister of the Year Award at an event coordinated by the Blueprint Newspaper in Abuja.
Pantami came top in the keenly contested award at the Blueprint Newspapers’ 10th year anniversary and 2020 Impact Series/Awards. He was selected as the winner based on his major achievements in the three major priority areas of the government – Economy, Transparency and Security, and the excellence with which he carried out his task of leading the communications and digital economy sector.
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Organisers said Pantami stood out as a result of the significant role the ICT sector played in lifting Nigeria out of recession, the rapid development of the digital economy sector under his watch, his exemplary leadership and synergy among the ministry’s parastatals.
The ICT sector was Nigeria’s fastest growing sector in 2020 accounting for 14.70% growth rate in the 4th Quarter of 2020 to allow for an early exit out of recession despite the global COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 23 Emergency Communication Centres were commissioned under his watch and 12 more are almost ready for commissioning. Over 300 centres were also established to support the growth of the digital economy.
The awards ceremony was graced by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan with other leading members of the society. It had a number of high profile recipients like a former president and some serving governors all conferred with awards in various categories in recognition of accomplishments.
The organisers noted that the event was “organised to honour key political actors, individuals and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) who have proved their worth in specific areas of governance such as education, urban renewal and rural infrastructure and the ease of doing business, among others”.
NTITA: Digital Leader of 2020
Pantami, who last November emerged as the “Digital Leader of 2020″ at the 4th edition of the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecoms Awards (NTITA), the industry’s OSCARS, thanked the organisers for recognising his modest achievements in the sector. He said the award will further energize him and his team to contribute meaningfully in the service of the country.
