The Federal Government says it will run an all-inclusive government to encourage lnformation Communication Technology (ICT) stakeholders contribute their quota to fast-track the diversification of Nigeria’s economy.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu made this known in his remark during the maiden annual workshop of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on Friday in Abuja.
Shitu said that such all-encompassing government would also help in leveraging ICT to checkmate financial leakages in the economy.
“It is public knowledge that ICT is playing a lead role in the economy with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) operations, Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) and Zero Base Budgeting System (ZBBS).
“Also in the current Federal Government engagement of unemployed graduates (N-Power Initiative) targeting 500,000 graduates, ICT has been of tremendous assistance.
“Talks are ongoing at various government levels to see how to leverage on the drone technology to aid human and pipeline security challenges among others.
“Therefore, it is clear that ICT drives itself and is also the core driver and enabler of the other sectors of the economy,’’ the minister said.
He commended NCS for organising the workshop, describing the theme as apt and pertinent to the immediate needs of the country.
The theme of the workshop was: “The role of ICT in taking Nigeria out of Economic Recession’’.
“The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) is also doing so much in ICT development in the country; that is why it is proper to accord Abuja Chapter support in the launch of this laudable initiative.
“The NCS Abuja Annual workshop is a welcome development, I pray that the workshop will continue to be relevant and impact on ICT growth in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and its environs,’’ Shittu said.
Dr Isa Pantimi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), described the workshop as a big giant stride to promoting ICT in the country.
“Efforts at adding value to local content through broadband penetration will reduce foreign pressure and also capital flight.
“We in at the NITDA will intensify efforts in building ICT. We will partner with other stakeholders to create digital literacy to save Nigeria from recession,’’ Pantimi said.
Mr Ayodeji Abitogun, the Chairman of NCS Abuja Chapter, said the chapter was ready to create a platform where policy makers would interface with private, academia, security agencies and artisans for ICT development.
“We desire that the outcomes from this platform will boost ICT policies in terms of gap identification, formulation, strengthening of monitoring and evaluation, implementation, regulation and sensitisation in the ICT sector,’’ Abitogun said. (NAN)