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For premiering the Digital Nigeria Day as the rest of the globe celebrates United Nations World Development Information Day, ICT stakeholders have lauded the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, as a pathfinder for Nigeria’s fast evolving knowledge economy. The 24th of October is set aside as the World Information Development Day by the UN.
The stakeholders agreed that the theme of the maiden edition: Digital Economy – A New Frontier For Economic Prosperity, underscores the digital economy policy strategy championed by Pantami.
President of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, commended the minister for his tireless efforts in driving the digital economy policy. He noted that his novel initiatives and strategies have continued to enhance the economic value of the sector.
President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Teniola Olusola, expressed joy over the synergy Pantami has brought to bear in the sector particularly in the resolution of conflicts which have ushered some unprecedented advancements in the sector.
Olusola described Pantami “as a resilient goal getter who has continued to provide the needed leadership to the sector and an enabling environment for investors to thrive,” even as he pledged the support of his association to help drive the policies and initiatives of the minister.
Also, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Istifanus Musa Fuktur hailed Pantami for re-kitting the ministry with defined policy direction in a way that has made the entire sector to be globally competitive.
While thanking the stakeholders, Pantami remarked that it was imperative for Nigeria to join the world in celebrating this day as the country has recorded giant strides in its digitalization efforts. He disclosed that the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy are all inclusive and take adequate cognizance of all sectors of the economy.
Pantami disclosed that the ministry has put in place the necessary foundation to ensure a solid and robust digital economy as digital skills take precedence over all considerations in today’s global society.
His words: “Since the launch of the Digital Nigeria Portal, sixty six thousand applicants have enrolled for various programs with sixty three thousand already certified. Cumulatively, over a hundred thousand Applicants have been empowered under the various programs of the Agencies and Parastatals under the Ministry’s purview”
While emphasizing the need for preference to be given to indigenous IT products and services in line with Executive Orders 003 and 005, he called on indigenous innovators who feel unjustly sidelined in the procurement of IT services, to draw the attention of the relevant authorities in seeking redress. Pantami enjoined stakeholders to collaborate with the ministry in its effort to digitalise the Nigerian economy.
