WorldStage Newsonline– The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has felicitated with the Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) on the ATU Day, saying his ministry’s polices were consistent with ATU’s statutory objective promoting programmes for the development of the African Information Society
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) was established on 7th December 1977. This founding day has been set aside for annual reflection and demonstration on the key role Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) have played and continue to play in the social and economic development of the continent. Specifically, 7th December, is celebrated each year by Member States of the Union based on the theme endorsed by the Administrative Council of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU).
In a statement by the spokesperson to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman(Mrs), on Monday, she said, “As Nigeria joins the rest of the African Continent to mark the 2020 ATU Day amidst the novel Covid-19 pandemic, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to promoting the use of digital technologies to drive the economic development of the nation.
“This is evident in the development and implementation of some strategic policies of the Ministry, which include the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), Nigerian National Broadband Plan, National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Telecom Sector, National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy, Policy on Virtual Engagements in the Public Service, amongst others. The facilitation of Virtual Federal Executive Council, Council of State and National Economic Council Meetings also reflect the progress we have made. The Ministry’s policies are consistent with ATU’s statutory objective of promoting programmes for the development of the African Information Society and the Pillar on promotion of Quality Broadband Infrastructure and Affordable ICT services under the current 2019-2022 ATU Strategic Plan.
“The theme of this year’s celebration, which is being observed today, Monday, 7th December, 2020, is titled “Post COVID 19: Role of Telecoms/ICT in the Resumption of Socio-Economic Activities”. It has reinforced the effort of the Ministry to collaborate with relevant public and private sector stakeholders on the acquisition of requisite skills and competences to leverage Telecommunications/ICT to solve a myriad of problems in our societies.
“The COVID -19 pandemic has further shown how connected and interlinked the world is and the need to ensure the coherence of policies and programmes across the Telecommunications/ICT sectors and to focus on promoting the accessibility of all people including the disadvantaged and vulnerable in the society.
“One of the initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, aimed at bridging the gap of digital skills in Nigeria, is the recent Commissioning of an eGovernment Training Centre for capacity building. The e-Government Centre will go a long way in bridging the gap of different skills required to promote good governance through the training and retraining of Civil Servants in Nigeria.
“COVID-19 has made the world a more challenging place than ever for many people. However, the Ministry has remained focused on the implementation of laudable programmes and projects that will enable the economy to thrive in spite of the pandemic.
“Once again, Nigeria congratulates and celebrates with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), as it celebrates the 2020 ATU Day. We look forward to continued partnership between Nigeria and the ATU”.
