…NITDA, NNPC CEOs, others commend Jegede for CSR gesture
By Hillary Asemota
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami, over the weekend lauded Phase3 Telecom’s free fibre broadband deployment initiative in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as one that is aligned with Federal Government’s robust roadmap on digital economy drive.
Pantami, who spoke at the deployment of the infrastructure by the Company at the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE) as well as the Institution’s Mosque and Academy in Wuse II, said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gesture, which is coming from the Executive Chairman of the Company, Mr. Stanley Jegede is in tandem with government policy and the National Broadband Plan (NBP): 2020 – 2025.
According to him, NBP is designed to encourage and foster more ICT collaborations especially from the organized private sector for sustainable access to the internet and broadband services as well as digital literacy and skill building for national development including greater economic inclusion of the unserved and the underserved in our communities.
The Minister charged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity Phase3 free fibre broadband provided by the company to imbibe a consistent maintenance culture that the access requires for optimal performance.
In a remark, the Executive Chairman of the Company, said Phase3’s CSR gesture rides on its commitment to using its telecom and technology know-how and expertise for sustainable growth and development of the country.
He said this is coming on the crest of e-education, tech skill building and free smart connectivity programmes as goal specific vehicles for empowering identified communities and institutions.
Jegede, said: “Phase3 remains committed to helping the institution to continue to achieve its operational goals and optimize its formal learning, training and cultural programmes through seamless connectivity solutions”.
“Beyond this, Phase3 is also poised to support ICICE with its infrastructure layered technology solutions including cloud and cyber security solutions that will enhance the centre’s virtual lectures, video conferencing and sundry activities.”
In attendance at the occasion were the Group Managing Director NNPC, Mele Kolo Kyari; Managing Director, National Petroleum Telecommunications Limited, Mr Sanusi Yerima; senior officials and representatives of Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman and Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi; Chairman ICICE Board of Trustees, Prof. Ibrahim Sulaiman; Chairman Al-Noor Academy Board of Directors, Dr Mohammed Dada; Ag. Director General and Director Arts Counselling and Culture, Sheikh Abdulfattah Adeyemi and Chief Imam, ICICE Al-Noor Mosque, Sheikh Mahamat Saleh.
Also in their remarks, the ICICE and Al-Noor Academy Board Chairs, Prof. Ibrahim Sulaiman, and Dr Mohammed Dada as well as Ag. Director General, Sheikh Abdulfattah Adeyemi, expressed appreciation to the management and staff of Phase3 for CSR and philanthropic gestures.
They averred that before now the centre had faced online access limitations in driving its quality programmes within its facilities or remotely, explaining that such unlimited internet access could not have come at a better time.