DIGITAL ECONOMY: OWERRI HOSTS 8TH NCCDE REGULAR MEETING

Reporter : CHIKA EWURUM

Nigerians have been encouraged to embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) for effective communication and transmission of ideas.

The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Istifanus Musa, made the call during the 8th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications and Digital Economy (NCCDE) held in Owerri.

Mr. Musa explained that the Federal Government, through the Ministry had, developed some policies and master plan, including Broadband plan 2020-2025.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the Broadband plan was targeted to cover 90% of Nigerians irrespective of their location.

Speaking on the 2020 theme “Leveraging Digital Economy Policies and Strategies for Economic Recovery in a COVID-19 Era and Beyond,” the Permanent Secretary recalled that people were cut off during the pandemic as there was break in Communication and noted that with ICT, people could communicate effectively with one another and even do their buying and selling online.

He emphasised that ICT helped to break the barrier of close contact and overcome the hurdle of COVID-19 pandemic.

The organizer and Director Research and Statistics of the Ministry, Dr. Nonye Nwachukwu, further explained that the forum was to de-emphasised on paper qualifications and promote entrepreneurship and digital skill amongst Nigerians.

She maintained that enhancement of the ICT industry would provide jobs for the youth and reduce the dependance on white collar jobs.

Dr. Nwachukwu advised participants, especially State ICT Commissioners from various states of the federation to implement the outcome of the technical session in their states and Ministries.