National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) would be carrying out the presidential directive on the redeployment of Information Communication Technology, (ICT) infrastructures destroyed by Boko Haram militants in the North Eastern zone of the country, Dr. Isa Pantami, Director General of NITDA has said.
Dr Isa made this known while receiving in his office, the Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University paid him a visit to felicitate with him on his recent appointment as the Director General of NITDA.
Dr. Pantami disclosed that the directive to develop the ICT infrastructure in the North East in the aftermath of the wanton destruction caused by Boko Haram insurgency has become necessary because the directive has not only come from the president but top senior government officials including the speakers of House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and chairman House on ICT, Hon. Muhammed Onawo.
He said the Agency would be complimenting the efforts of the government in rebuilding the zone.
He added that Federal Character would be the guiding principle of his administration in deploying ICT infrastructures to states across the federation.
“I have directed my Director of Corporate Strategy and Research to avail me with the list of projects NITDA has carried since inception about how the states have benefitted. We will look at it and see where we can assist in rebuilding the northeast,” Dr. Pantami said.
Earlier in her remark, the representative of the Pro-Chancellor of the School, Hajia Hauwa Bukar said the objective of the visit was to deliver the congratulatory message of the University Community to Dr. Pantami and wish him a fruitful tenure as the DG of the Agency.
She, however, used the opportunity to seek for NITDA’s interventions in the development of the school adding that there a lot of things the school and NITDA could do together.
Dr. Pantami assured them that, by the support of his management team, the requests of the school would look into in as much as it follows due process and the rule of law.
“We will look at the ATBU needs and make provision for it if it falls within the ambit of the law. In fact, we will be obeying the directive of the President and many other top senior government officials on the development of Northeast zone because of the destruction was done to the area by Boko Haram. We will complement the government’s efforts in rebuilding the region in the aftermath of the destruction by Boko Haram insurgency,” he said.
Prof. Saminu Ibrahim, vice chancellor of the Institution, who eulogized the Dr. Pantami said the University community is proud to associate itself with the DG for the niche he has carved for himself.
The VC recalled that the University was reluctant to release him when he was going to Saudi Arabia because of his resourcefulness and potential the school has seen in him he, however, added they are now happy to see him back to the country to play his role in the development of the nation.
“We have gotten a lot of report on what you were able to achieve while in Saudi Arabia which we are very proud of and we have no doubt in our minds that you will make us more proud in your new position as the Director General of NITDA,” he concluded.
