When the current Anambra Government came up with “The Soludo Solution”, we asked if the State would leapfrog Anambra as the next industrial tech hub in Nigeria.
These questions became pertinent as parts of the proposed solution identified by the Soludo administration seek to address some challenges by leveraging technology.
Excerpts from the documents show that ‘The Soludo Solution’ identified key strengths and opportunities for Anambra state, and the number one on the list reads.
“Digitization and the consequent Fourth Industrial Revolution present both threats to the existing production structures and employment, but also enormous opportunities to leapfrog and create new wealth.
From artificial intelligence, and robotics to augmented reality and blockchain technology, there are opportunities to immerse our youths into the stream and redefine their future.”
Asides from this, the former CBN Governor also plans to make Anambra the digital and creative capital of Nigeria.
This will be achieved by investing in relevant infrastructure, facilitating programs for digital skill development to boost innovation, create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship, enhance social development, and achieve economic transformation by fostering growth in the technology and creative ecosystem.
One of the ways, the governor has set to achieve this was through the appointment of Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, “CFA” as the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency.
Until his appointment into the Soludo administration in April 2022, CFA has been a stakeholder in Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem for over a decade and has deployed different media platforms for advocacy and implementation of technology for individuals, private corporations and the government.
According to the agency’s website, “The dream to achieve a ‘Technology everywhere’ can only be made possible when Ndi Anambra are sensitized and trained to embrace tech and digital skills, which will, in turn, improve lives, create innovations and better economy of the state in general.”
This article takes a look at the recent happenings in the Anambra State ICT Agency in accordance “The Soludo Solution” for the past 5 months.
Anambra Digital Tribe
The Agency has laid the foundation for the Anambra Digital Tribe, an initiative of Mr. Soludo aimed at empowering 100,000 youths with emerging digital skills and connecting them to jobs globally.
The trainees and beneficiaries of this course shall be inducted into the Digital Tribe consisting of the following clan, Dev, Gig, Trade, Entertainment, and Makers.
The Anambra Digital Tribe Initiative is part of The Federal Government of Nigeria’s “Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprise (i-DICE) Programme”.
Baseline Study of e-government
The ICT Agency undertook the study, which showed the state of e-government infrastructure in the state. A first-of-its-kind Baseline Study will serve as a basis for developing its civil service into a digital workforce.
The aim is to ascertain the adoption rate of ICT in the State, take a critical look at the general ICT infrastructures on ground, and determine what is needed to actualize full-blown e-government.
GovTech Preliminary Strategy
The state participated in a World Bank subnational Government GovTech Maturity Index survey and based on the preliminary results of this survey and the baseline study, the state has designed a first draft gov-tech strategy that advises the government on the relevant infrastructure to put in place, for a transition to e-government.
This will better position Anambra before Global partners interested in States that are committed to making a difference in Government technology.
Standardization of State Internet Assets
The process of hosting all MDAs under the same domain was initiated. All Government assets will gradually be migrated to the Internet domain name anambrastate.gov.ng as the Agency finalizes the State’s Cloud Strategy.
Anambra State Unified Messaging Service (UMS)
This comprises email accounts and other features of all Officers in the State Civil Service and political appointees.
The UMS is aimed to integrate all the messaging methods into a coherent system and also to make communication painless.
State Digital Assets SOPs
The Agency has released the Digital Asset Standard Operating Principles (SOP) based on the naming convention approved by the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), which is currently being implemented by all MDAs.
The plan is to aid in directing, regulating, and moderating digital assets, such as domain name and email account naming conventions, and to make sure that state rules and procedures are followed.
Last-Mile High-speed Fiber Optic Internet Provision
In line with Mr. Governors’ electoral promise of providing high-speed broadband, the State is in final conversations with a PPP partner who would ensure a dig-once policy and the laying of fiber-optic cable in ducts.
This project will attract thousands of direct and indirect jobs, as well as help launch Anambra fully into the global economy.
Public WiFi Access
The concept and proposal for public Wi-Fi for the state are being finalized and upon deployment would ensure that select Public areas will have Wi-Fi access.
This was a recommendation from the Transition Committee to attain Last-mile Internet connectivity and establish Internet access as a fundamental human right of the people of the State.
The access will be made available in the market and public schools, according to the agency. Recently, the agency had a courtesy visit from the Navig Canada (NaijaTel) team to consummate plans in launching public Wi-Fi in the State.
The Anambra Cloud
A Unified Cloud Service that will ensure that all State data will be kept within the State and would save the State millions of Naira because it will consolidate the numerous cloud providers being used by different MDAs today.
NITDA’s Anambra Innovation Centre
Mr. Governor’s goodwill is attracting the right kind of partners. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has expressed interest in launching an Innovation Centre in Awka – the First of its kind in the South Eastern Part of the Country. The state government will soon allocate the needed land for the project.
International Standard ICT Hub in Anambra State
In conjunction with the Association of Computer Village technology merchants of Nigeria (ACOVITEMN), Mr. Governor has approved for an international ICT Agency Hub to be built in Anambra, which will serve as a large market for technology and an incubator for tech innovations (Skills and Solutions) that will be recognized globally.
Recently, the executives of Computer Village Ikeja Association stopped by at the Anambra State ICT Agency to deepen the conversation.
Creation of a Portal (ITPRS) for External IT consultants
The ICT Agency designed a platform called ITPRS to Digitalize and standardize IT Projects deployment in the State so that all projects deployed in the State conform to some set standards.
Support to MDAs
The Anambra State ICT Agency constantly meets the needs of MDAs by responding to their requests and providing ICT-related support services at all times by the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), which is currently being implemented by all MDAs.
The plan is to aid in directing, regulating, and moderating digital assets, such as domain name and email account naming conventions, and to make sure that state rules and procedures are followed.
This is a chronicle of the agency’s work over the past 5 months. We would give updates as the Anambra State ICT Agency drives into its mission to fulfil its part in “The Soludo Solution”
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