The coordinator
of the Nigeria ICT Impact CEO Forum NIICF and the Africa Digital Awards
ADA, Mr. Tayo Adewusi, has
disclosed that broadband deployment will top agenda at this year’s event,
reports ITRealms.
A press statement made available to ITRealms, Mr. Adewusi
said if Nigeria’s economy must leapfrog and “catch up with the rest of the
world, broadband deployment can take us there.”
He bemoaned that Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
is considered as the fastest growing sector in Nigeria, yet data services have
not recorded the same growth as voice, while key trends have indicated that
demand for these services “is at the roof top.”
According to him, the theme for 2016 is “How Can
Broadband Deployment Impact On Nigeria’s Economic Recovery,” adding
that industry experts had posited that ICT is the next ‘oil and gas’ as such, this
could only be achieved through an increase in broadband penetration.
On the other hand, he said, the fifth edition of Africa
Digital Awards ADA, would honour distinguished corporate organizations and
personalities who have leveraged on the potency of information and
communication technology ICT.
“How do we transport the huge capacity inland? There is an
obvious absence of efficient distribution and dearth of last mile connection. However,
there has been an appreciable growth in e-commerce and this can be properly
harnessed through a significant broadband penetration,” he said.
In addition, he said that broadband is a goldmine and the
recovery of Nigeria’s economy is dependent on this goldmine and this would
happen through the provision of the enabling environment, adding that broadband
deployment should be predicated on availability, affordability, and quality of
service delivery.
The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu,
EVC/CEO of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta as
well as the acting-Director-General of the National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji would be among the speakers to
dissect how broadband deployment could act as a catalyst to jumpstart Nigeria’s
ailing economy.
Other speakers that would deliver papers on e-Commerce,
media, broadcasting and government include the acting DG of National Broadcasting
Commission NBC, Alheri Saidu, Ms. Funke Opeke, MD of Main One, Stanley Jegede,
MD of Phase 3 Telecom, among others.
Expected at the awards are the host Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi
Ambode of Lagos State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Dr. Olusegun
Mimiko of Ondo State and Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State among others.
Adewusi further said that ICTWatch Network and Financial Technology are jointly
coordinating the event.
