BY JOSEPH ADAMS
Towards attaining an all-inclusive digital Nigeria, the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) an agency of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on Friday commissioned batch nine of 7 digital economy projects across the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami while commissioning the projects yesterday in the ultra-modern conference centre of NCC building in Abuja on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari said that these 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.
This he added is in line with the economic development road map of Nigeria and the administration’s focal points of economic development, security and the eradication of corruption.
The 7 Digital Economy Projects commissioned are: The Community ICT Centre, Dutse, Jigawa State, North West, IT Hub Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, 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 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 government has also approved the national policy on virtual engagement which has recently institutionalized virtual engagement particularly in government circle.
The minister stated that through virtual activities, lots of government’s resources are being saved and other harzards associated with physical travels are being reduced.
He further said that the plan of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration is to have Emergency Communication Centers in every state of the federation, including the FCT to effectively cater for emergency needs as occasion demands.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Festus Daudu 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 centers as well as improving themselves in the area of ICT.
He further said that the ICT Centers will support voluntary and community based organizations with their technology needs and also 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.