Communications Minister, Shittu, resigns to contest Oyo governor - ITREALMS

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The Minister of Communications, Alhaji Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, has resigned, ITREALMS can authoritatively report.

His letter of resignation, ITREALMS gathered, was received at the Presidency on Monday, August 27, 2018, entitled “Request for Mr. President’s Approval to Contest for the Governorship of Oyo State During the 2019 Gubernatorial Election.”

In his reply Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged the letter same day and thanked him on behalf of the Federal Executive Council and Nigerians for his services as Minister under his administration.

“I note with passion your past contributions to our great party APC during and after the 2015 elections,” he said, in the reply delivered to Shittu's office on Tuesday, 28 August, 2018.

Buhari in a personally signed-response, reminded Shittu of his commitment to free and fair elections.

“Our policy is to support all APC candidates,” he declared.

He further wished Shittu well in his ambition to be the governor of his state, insisting that INEC has been directed alongside security agencies to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2019.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Emulate Airtel, Shittu tells corporate Nigeria

ITRealms:

The Honorable Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has urged corporate organizations and wealthy Nigerians to support humanitarian causes as this could help reduce the rate of poverty in the country, reports ITRealms. 

Speaking at the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives season 4 in Lagos, the Minister applauded Airtel’s commitment and consistency in reaching the downtrodden and empowering them.

He urged other corporate organizations to follow in the footsteps of the telco in extending a helping hand to those in need.

“I think that the companies doing business in Nigeria who have been benefiting from the enabling environment in Nigeria and the individuals and businessmen who have been benefiting must certainly come to the rescue and multiply what Airtel has been doing,” he said.

He stated that government needs the support of the private sector, NGOs, philanthropists and other well-meaning organizations to eradicate hunger and poverty.

The Minister also called on the National Assembly to inspire and encourage businesses in Nigeria to embark on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“On the part of government, I think particularly, the National Assembly, which is saddled with making laws for us, should also feel challenged by what we have seen tonight by trying to initiate laws which would inspire or encourage Corporate Social Responsibility to be a major issue in the running of businesses of Nigeria”, he said.

“I am sure that Airtel might have spent fortunes to do what they have done, it is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to prosper the management of Airtel Nigeria and to help prosper Airtel itself. I want to challenge all of us tonight to make resolutions to touch lives in the same vein that Airtel has been doing” he added.

According to the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, the telco will not relent in its effort to restore hope and helping the less privileged in the society in line with its vision of creating empowerment opportunities and making life better for Nigerians.

“I want to thank everyone in this room and to encourage you again; there is no limit to how kind any of us can be. My parting message is don’t spend your time asking why there are poor people in the world; it’s a waste of time.

“The right question is what can we do to change it? We are always going to have poor and unfortunate people amongst us. What next is what you can do to affect their circumstances and I am encouraging you to do something,” he said.

Since Airtel launched the Touching Lives initiative three years ago, it has achieved remarkable successes having restored hope of despaired individuals and families, saved many from the throes of death and empowered many underprivileged Nigerians.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Senator Ajayi Borrofice, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology; Hon. Ujam Chukwuemeka, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communications; Representative of the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Adeniji Kazeem; Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission; Bimbo Ashiru, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Leo Stan Ekeh, founder, Zinox and Oby Ezekwesili, Former Minister of Education & Renowned Public Intellectual, among several others.

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Osinbajo, Shittu, others @ premiere of Airtel Touching lives Season 4

ITREALMS:

Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President, and Minister of Communications Technology, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, will lead high-profile guests who have confirmed they would attend the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives season four, reports ITREALMS.

The premiere, which is billed to hold on Sunday, 3^rd June, 2018, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, is also expected to have Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice, Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology and Senator Solomon Olamilekan, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications.

According to Airtel, Hon. Saheed Akinade Fijabi, Chairman, House Committee on Communications; Hon. Ujam Chukwuemeka, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communications and Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Senator, Olabiyi Durojaiye, amongst many others, will also grace the premiere.

Captains of industry, heads of agencies, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and notable media proprietors are also expected to attend.

Airtel Touching Lives is an inspiring corporate social responsibility initiative that seeks to offer practical relief, succour, hope, opportunities and credible platforms to liberate and empower the underprivileged, disadvantaged and hard-to-reach persons in the society.

The activities of Airtel Touching Lives are recorded and produced for national television with a view to promoting the spirit of giving, self-sacrifice and love among Nigerians.

Speaking at a press conference in December to announce the kick-off of nominations for Season 4 of the programme, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the company is committed to helping the less privileged in the society in line with its vision of creating empowerment opportunities and making life better for Nigerians.

“Together, we all can make our society a better place if we join hands and collaborate to uplift the downtrodden around us.

“While the Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) cannot do it all, we have a responsibility to contribute our quota to making Nigeria a better place for all,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to participate in the 4th edition of the Touching Lives programme by nominating causes and persons who require help.

According to him, “the nomination process is simple. Once you nominate an individual or cause, our team will review and assess the situation and determine if a follow-up visit will be required.

“You can nominate individuals or projects in your communities by dialling 367 or by sending an SMS to the Shortcode, 367. Also mail can be sent totouchinglives@ng.airtel.com” 

Since Airtel launched the  Touching Lives initiative three years ago, it has achieved remarkable successes having restored hope of despaired individuals and families, saved many from the throes of death and empowered many underprivileged Nigerians.

One of the major highlights in Season 3 of Airtel Touching Lives was the story of Olusegun Aina family, who lost three children and was rendered homeless by a devastating fire incident. Through the Touching Lives platform, Airtel built and donated a multi-million Naira, ultra-modern 2-bedroom apartment for the family and also paid for all outstanding medical bills incurred by the surviving family members. 

In 2017, Airtel Touching Lives was voted the most outstanding intervention in Stakeholders’ Management by the jury of the prestigious Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS).

Aside Touching Lives, Airtel Nigeria has continuously embarked on several philanthropic initiatives aimed at impacting lives positively. Some of these key CSR initiatives include the Adopt-a-School programme, Employee Volunteer Scheme, Airtel Five Days of Love Christmas programme and other interventions on health and the environment.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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CGN unveils movement against Shittu’s governorship ambition

ITREALMS:

More trouble seems to be heading towards the Communication Minister, Barr. Adebayo Shittu as the party governorship candidate for Oyo State in 2019, as a group has declared that their votes are not for Shittu, reports ITRealms.

An Ibadan-based body known as the Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN) made this disclosure while launching a movement that would pose a serious threat to Shittu’s governorship ambition.

Leader of the group, Mr. Wole Adedoyin informed ITRealms that the movement to be known as “My Vote not for Shittu” will work Mr. Shittu, describing the Minister as a disgrace and embarrassment to the communication industry.

“We are not happy as Shittu declared and shown interest to contest the number one position in Oyo state. This is a slap to the people of the state and practitioners in the ICT Sector. What has he contributed to the development of the state as a serving Minister in Buhari’s cabinet? What achievement has he brought to the Ministry he is overseering?

“Shittu is a product of bad governance. Electing somebody like him to govern the state will be a great mistake. In order for us not to let him realize his goal, today, we are here to put a stop to his governorship ambition.”

Adedoyin further urged members of the public interested in the movement to register and mobilize others sharing same goal.

“The Movement's social media platforms will start running as from next month, Adedoyin assured members of the public,” he assured.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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FEC mess: Shittu barred from dispensing Buhari campaign caps

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu may have entered another mud on Wednesday as he was barred from dispensing President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election election campaign caps at the cabinet meeting, report ITRealms.

Mr. Shittu, who adorned the cap with the inscription ‘Continuity ’19: Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo’, reportedly came to the meeting with a bag containing the caps for distribution to cabinet members.

According to Daily Trust sources said, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disallowed the planned distribution of the caps.

ITRealms recalls that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had Tuesday advised Buhari against seeking re-election.


Just as last Saturday, Shittu had inaugurated the Southwest zonal office of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in Ibadan, Oyo State.

At the FEC meeting, it was only Shittu that dressed with the cap.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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CGN explodes, warns Shittu over childish projects in 2018

ITREALMS:

The Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN) has exploded with a warning to the current Minister of Communication, Barr. Adebayo Shittu to eschew the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry with childish and puerile projects as 2018 beings, reports ITRealms.

Revealing the positon of CGN to ITRealms at the weekend in Ibadan, the National President of the Guild, Mr. Wole Adedoyin said that after the first meeting of the Guild to unveil it’s 2018 projects for the industry, the warning becomes imperative.

According to Adedoyin, who is also the national coordinator of “Information Technology Writers Association of Nigeria (ITWAN), “We prayed the Minister begins this year with laudable ICT projects. Last year was a disaster in the industry, not much was recorded. We in the sector know this compared to Mobolaji Johnson’s tenure when she was there in the same shoes.”

“We are all aware that two projects forwarded to the country’s National Executive Council (NEC) during one of their Council’s meetings which were brought forward by the Minister were shamefully rejected by them”

“We had once written to the President to reshuffle the ministry and take Barrister Shittu to where he belongs but the President refused to heed to our call,” he lamented.

ITRealms recalls that Computer Guild of Nigeria is acclaimed one of the computer professional associations in Nigeria saddled with the responsibilities of enhancing the computer skills of its members and the general public; formally known as the Society for Microsoft Practitioners (SFMP or SFMOP) and National Association of Nigerian Computer Operators, Web Designers, Programmers and Hardware Technicians, established since 2004.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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'Why FEC rejected memo on ICT University'

ITRealms:

Some reasons have been adduced to why the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected the memo seeking to establish the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University by the Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, reports ITRealms.

According to the Minister in a recent chat with newsmen, although the President, Muhammadu Buhari was reportedly full of commendations on the initiative, yet, the position of the government was hinged on the enormous fiscal demands it will place on government at a time such as now, when existing higher institutions where in scarcity of fund.

As said by Shittu, the Federal Executive Council believes that the proposed partnership funding by the private sector and other international donors should be more evident before any government commitment can be asserted.

“For me, maybe the Federal Government did not see what I saw but since we are in a democracy, I cannot force my ideas on the majority because it is a game of minority have their say but majority have their way,” he declared.

Shittu said he is not relenting on the ICT University initiative, as there are plans to continue to explore the good will within the ICT sector in order to rally more private sector to buy into the vision.

 

He emphasized that since there is no need for fresh built out of campuses from the scratch, “but run on existing currently used by the Digital Bridge Institute, I believe we can revisit the initiative.”

ITRealms recalls that the proposed ICT University has been massively opposed by some parts of the ICT sector who believe Nigeria has enough universities that require ICT upgrading across board than diversion of attention in the name of ICT University initiative.

Chuks Egbune with additional report from Digivision/GEE

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Pix; Shittu with Lai Mohammed and  Prof. Adewale at FEC meeting recently

Nigeria to increase data centres - Shittu

ITRealms:

Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has said efforts are on to expand the number of Data Centres in the country as part of government’s plan to expand its presence on a digital platform, 1-gov.net, reports ITRealms.

The platform, apart from consolidating existing government ICT infrastructure, it also enables MDAs to exchange data in a seamless manner while allowing each other to remain independent and maintain its privacy and the security of its operatives.

The Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare in a press release said Barr. Shittu stated this in a keynote address titled Empowering Digital Governments to share latest innovative technology trends and government solutions with emphasis on Microsoft’s Technology platform to improve the capabilities of government within Nigeria”.which he delivered at the 2017 Microsoft Digital Government Conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The minister said through the 1-gov.net, government has become more participative and accessible where citizens can participate in policy process through discussions, suggestions and online-polls.

“Various Government Departments are using this platform for seeking inputs on a wide range of issues. Using the 1-gov.netPlatform, Government has been able to save 30% of what it would have expended on a unit per unit cost. As at date 90% of all MDAs within Abuja are linked with fiber backbone and 3,500 locations of different MDAs have been touched across the country. 

"About 270 MDAs websites and applications are being hosted on the network, adding that“Government has recorded success in 1-gov.net, we now focus on some services that have direct bearing on the present administration’s priorities, and we determined to continue with the shared ICT infrastructure and services initiative in the MDAs. The1-gov.net is promoting Whole-of-Government approaches in the information Age based on shared services," he said.

In addition, he said, this approach will enhance productivity of government officials, increase experience of patrons of government services, enhance security and drive out the menace of corruption.

He said the government recognizes the urgent need to increase efficiency and transparency, improve and align processes, smart government and smart cities, attract new investors, bridge the digital divide, transform government transaction services, data-driven government, better access to and management of information, thereby enhancing citizen satisfaction and trust, meeting the needs of rapidly changing demographics and balancing costs while optimizing efficiency.

According to him, digital government is a vision statement that seeks to bring about citizen empowerment by harnessing the potentials of ICTs as well as seeking to transform government into digitally empowered society and knowledge economy in a manner that government is available on the palm of every citizen, where - The Government is open and the Governance Transparent.

Digital Government, he said, does not comprise the digital architecture alone, but it encompasses digital delivery of citizen-centric services, and ultimately, digital empowerment of the people.

He said, “Internet users in Nigeria have crossed 90 million. The mobile users have also crossed 156million mark. The smart phone users are more than 60 million. Today, from booking of train tickets to payment of fees and taxes, from post office and banking transactions to issue of digital documents, online registrations to online applications and e-services, Digital Revolution is seen everywhere and touches almost every aspect of life of a common citizen.

Barr. Shittu disclosed that government invests in shared ICT Infrastructure to secure the benefits of lower cost, increased security, increased innovation and faster service delivery, adding that government is supporting the development and sustenance of ICT applications that are driving cost effectiveness and transparency in Government Service Delivery. He added that applications supporting the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA), IPPIS, Budget Portal and BVN verifications among others are already resulting in huge savings.

The Ministry of Communications, he said,has expanded the Open Government Data Portal which is a part of the Federal Government Open Data Initiative, stressing that many civil servants have been trained across MDAs on the use of the portal.

He said government would appreciate the opportunity for Microsoft to help train our local ICT savvy youth and key into our local content policy on current projects and priorities to ensure a smooth transition, while he emphasized that Nigeria is the new bride in empowering Digital Governments to share latest innovative technology trends and Government solutions to improve the capabilities of government within Nigeria.

Commending the digital giant, he said,“I take this opportunity to applaud Microsoft and its contributions in the development and growth of the country through this noble initiative. The Ministry of Communications will continue to partner with the organized Private sector, and other stakeholders, in its bid to move the digitization efforts of the country forward. I would like once again to congratulate the Microsoft team for organizing this timely and commendable conference.

“I am aware that Microsoft in collaboration with the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) & Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) are committed to supporting the government's transformation by leveraging technology to drive productivity and empower citizens to do more regardless of location and time. Citizens’ engagement is a key performance indicator of any government and Microsoft, NITDA & NCC can provide robust platforms that help citizens provide feedback and queries to their leaders. Ultimately, digitally transforming government leads to good governance, accountability to citizens and builds trust between the government and its citizenry.”

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Indo-Africa ICT Expo excites Shittu, attracts industry players

ITRealms:

The forthcoming Indo-Africa conference on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has drawn the excitement of the Honourable Minister of Communication, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, reports ITRealms.

Reacting to the recent endorsement of the conference by his Indian counterpart, Shittu promised Nigeria’s cooperation and participation to ensure a successful and worthwhile event for the good of India and Nigeria as well as the ICT industry in general.

“We are delighted about the idea of this event, and from Nigeria we will put in our best to ensure the programme comes out very well,” he declared, stressing that India and Nigeria share a lot in common, and ICT currently being very topical globally, it is in the interest of both countries to pool resources to deliver results for their common peoples.

ITRealms gathered from the organisers, the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) that the event would include a key highlight by ICT Ministers’ Roundtable Meeting scheduled for September 6, on the theme ‘Digital Vision of the Developing Nations.”

This, ITRealms further gathered from the organisers, would be a platform for ministers to present and share the ICT visions of their countries over the next five years, thereby showcasing partnership opportunities that such vision would bring to the industry at large for the two regions.

TEPC is working in conjunction with the National Association of Software and Service Companies, (NASSCOM), which is the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT-BPM industries in India. NASSCOM is a global trade body with more than 1800+ members, which include both Indian and multinational companies that have a presence in India.

Also TEPC is partnering with industry associations in Nigeria, including the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) as well as the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) to make the event a full industry-focused programme.

ITAN President, Mr. Tayo Adeniyi, ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, ATCON President, Engr. Olusola Teniola, among others, have so far been listed to speak at the event, while more are to be confirmed as the days go by.

Nonye Dom/GEE 

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ICT to save Nigeria N1.5trillion in foreign education – Adebayo Shittu

ITRealms:

The Minister of Communications, Alhaji. Adebayo Shittu has said that recent commitment of the Federal Government to the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) could drastically reduce the huge amount of N1.5 trillion being spent on Nigerian students studying in foreign educational institutions, reports ITRealms.

He was optimistic that if the Federal Government succeeded in establishing the proposed ICT University of Nigeria, the country will not only develop world- class local capacity, but also reduce the strain on the Naira through reduction of foreign currency sourced for the training of citizens outside the country.

The minister said government is prepared to use ICT to foster youth empowerment and development through granting of loans, sponsorships and financial support among other innovative schemes to lucrative business ideas.

The minister made this disclosure at a lecture titled; Jobs Nowhere But Jobs Everywhere: ICT To The Rescue Of Unemployed Youths And Graduates at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan at the weekend said about 20 million youths and graduates are currently unemployed.

Stating the acknowledgement of the Buhari’s administration to use ICT as a critical pillar to leverage on job and wealth creation as well as on economy and a critical tool in diversifying the Nigerian economy and recognising the role of ICT in making it a reality, he said, government established one form of ICT infrastructure or the other across the six geopolitical zones.

He disclosed that the plan to build a national ICT Park and Exhibition Centre in Abuja is part of the preparations for the 4^thIndustrial Revolution is on course. Similarly, and that a plan to “build a $1 billion-dollar ICT company” to boost indigenous technology has been articulated.

Elaborating on the planned ICT University, Shittu said,” We already have the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) which is for short term training programmes, in six locations across the country and we will transform this Institute into the ICT University of Nigeria. This unique University would by God’s grace take off effectively in September 2017 and would be run as a Public Private Partnership with the best business and entrepreneurship models.

“I have engaged with several stakeholders at the international level, Facebook, Motorola, Ericson and am still talking to many more stakeholders. We are encouraging them to come and adopt the respective university campuses as their own.

“I am happy to report that this project is receiving a global boost and endorsement. The committee set up has been working round the clock on the realization of this objective, and has indeed submitted its final report on Tuesday 18^th July 2017. A Vice Chancellor and other senior officials would soon be appointed.

“The ICT University will be a multi-campus institution of the present Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) located in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Asaba and Yola.”

He said a recent World Bank report revealed that ICT is transforming the world of work, creating new job opportunities and making labour markets more innovative, inclusive and global and accordingly, ICT is influencing employment both as an industry that create jobs and as a tool that empowers workers to access new forms of works in new and more flexible ways. He added that the ICT sector alone contributed N500 billion into the nation’s economy in 2014 and created about 2.5 million jobs in 10 years. The statistics also show that the sector attracted about $30 billion of foreign investment from 2003 to 2014.

The minister, therefore urged Nigerian Universities to take a cue from what is happening in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem value chain and put their various faculties on the path of growth and prosperity by leveraging on ICT. He also promised that the government would provide the much needed infrastructure and favourable policies that would create the enabling environment for young people to innovate unhindered in the various start-ups and innovative centres across the country.

“The digital revolution that has the power to transform societies is already underway. Success belongs to those who innovate and seize available opportunities. I want to assure you that I will go talking with development partners home and abroad on the importance of investing in ICT today to leap-frog the nation’s growth for today and the future.

“If we must achieve the desired goal of placing Nigeria on the global ICT mark thereby using it as major tool for job creation, earmarking investment for ICT is not enough. More importantly, we have to decide that we are going to do it by developing and churning out fit-for-purpose youths from our institutions for the exceptional ICT market and opportunities at the global level”, he said.

Ayo Midele/GEE 

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We’re leveraging ICT for massive online jobs - Shittu

ITRealms:

The Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has said his ministry is leveraging on Information Communication Technology (ICT) for rejuvenating Nigeria’s economy as well as encouraging massive online job creation through the implementation of various initiatives, reports ITRealms.

In a press statement by Victor Oluwadamilare, his Special Assistant on Media, the minister, in a keynote delivered at the opening ceremony of the Ife Youths Economic Summit (IYES 2017) Thursday, at Ile-Ife said, in this onerous task, 28,800 unemployed youths nominees across various states of the Federation were trained in online job (Micro-work and E-lancing).

The ministry, he also said has established incubation hubs in Lagos and Calabar, which are a private and public sector collaboration aimed at catalysing the ICT industry by helping Nigerian ICT entrepreneurs create successful businesses, support the interactions between innovations and their partners and developing indigenous skills and capabilities. H e added that the target of this initiative is to create 25 successful ICT businesses by 2015.

Striving to make the ICT sector, the 4th pillar of the nation’s economy in terms of contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), he said the sector, which is the fastest growing and which has contributed 9.58 percent to the country’s GDP, trained 1000 Girls in ICT in collaboration with Huawei Technologies and have sent 20 best amongst the 1000 girls already in Nigeria to China in April this year for further training.

Barr. Shittu said in its efforts to fill the about 24 percent IT vacancies in the country, the ministry “plans to build technical and job-ready ICT skills to replace expatriate expertise with highly skilled Nigerians, increase the supply of local highly skilled talent to a fast growing sector and enhance ICT industry employment opportunities.

He said, “ so far, Digital Bridge Institute and other tertiary institutions are concluding an agreement with IBM (Skills Development and Research Institutes) to train 25,000 resources in 5 years (2013-2018) per institute.

“Similarly, partnership agreement had been signed with Cisco to build Cisco Academy for highest certification (CCIE: Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) in Nigeria and with Nokia on MLab Project. The implementation of the Nokia Life programme for farmers is also at an advanced stage.

“The modules to be covered in the one month following my opening addresses have been carefully chosen; software development which is at the foundation of ICT because you need to write the instruction for the computer in a language it will understand, the study of various electronics technologies which include computer hardware& software, operating systems, 

web-based information and applications, telephones and other telecommunication and multimedia products, e-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet and web enabling technologies which are products that can be used through or in conjunction with the world wide web to surf the internet.”

Speaking at the Summit, Barr. Shittu said that youths are cardinal members of the internet ecosystem and that the ministry is strategically inclined to bringing up initiatives to cater for the interest of the nation’s youth population and working closely with various partners at national, regional and global levels to ensure massive youth employment while fast-tracking the rejuvenation of the national economy.

He said the theme of the summit, “ICT as a Formidable Tools For Nigeria’s Economic Rejuvenation and Massive Job Creation”, is apt at this time that the country is moving out of recession and all hands are on deck to ensure gradual economic growth.

According to the minister, ICTs are creating new job opportunities and making labour markets more innovative, inclusive, and global and that there is a shift from traditional labour intensive jobs to technology-enabled jobs, adding that the ICT sector has come to play a critical role in the sustainable growth and development of nations.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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