…Unveils Ten NIPOST’s mailing vehicles
…Celebrates over 100m NIN enrollment
By Ogaga Ariemu
Ahead of inauguration of the incoming government on May 29th, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami said 4,366 projects have been implemented in the last four years.
Pantami disclosed this on Thursday at the virtual and physical commissioning ceremony in Abuja.
The projects include, Nigerian Communications Commission’s Emergency Communications centres, National Information Technology Development Agency’s ICT centres, Ten operational mailing vehicles for the Nigerian Postal Service and Universal Service Provision projects Nationwide.
The Minister launched the IT Hub Construction and Equipping in Gashua, Yobe State (North-East), Digital Awareness Programme at Cardoso High School, Apapa, Lagos State (South-West), Community IT Training Centre Ogbomoso, Oyo State (South-West), Digital Nigeria Centre at General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Bauchi, Bauchi State (North-East), Mini-ICT Square Project at FUT Minna, Niger State (North-Central), Digital Nigeria Centre at Udi Abia Secondary School, Udi, Enugu State (South-East) and other projects.
Pantami noted the Nigeria’s digital economy grew significantly in the last four years due to the implementation of well tailored policies.
According to him, broadband coverage increased from 23 per cent to 80.86 per cent in the period under review.
He expressed that the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy grew from N51.3 million to N408.7 billion in four years.
He stated that the government has increased National Identity Number enrolment from 39million to 100million.
Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, the Director General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi, the Postmaster General/CEO of NIPOST Hon Sunday Adepoju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof Muhammed Abubakar, the Director General of National Identity Management Commission, Engr Aliyu Aziz, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr Vincent Olatunji lauded the Minister for poineering giant strides in the sector.
Prof Danbatta represented by Bar Adeleke Adewolu, the Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management, NCC highlighted several interventions facilitated by the Minister responsible for the growth in the sector.
He noted the implementation of NIN-SIM synchronization policy, exemption of the telecommunications sector from additional 5 per cent tax and others laudable achievements recorded under the Minister.
On his part, the DG of NITDA Abdullahi said Pantami’s legacy will not be forgotten in the sector.
Also, the Postmaster General, Hon Adepoju said the Minister had impacted the telecommunications industry significantly.
“There is no doubt that effective and efficient National Mail Routes will help in putting Nigeria on a proper pedestal within the comity of global postal administrations”, he stated.
Major highlight of the ceremony is the ribbon cutting of several projects including the unveiling of a 443 pages compendium of the major achievements, programmes and initiatives in the digital economy sector, 10 mailing vehicles of NIPOST, celebration over 100m NIN enrollment and others.