The Task Of Advancing ICT Industry Is A Collective Responsibility – Pantami
– Says he has great plans for the growth of the telecoms/ICT industry.
The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, has declared that, the onerous task of expanding the frontiers of growth, in the Information and Communication Technology, (ICT), industry is a collective responsibility, requiring active collaboration of the Ministry, with its agencies and industry stakeholders.
Pantami stated this on Thursday, December 12, 2019, as he shared his vision, for the ICT and telecom sector, during a special reception, hosted in his honour, by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON), in Abuja.
The special reception, attended by the cream of personalities, in the telecom sector, was spiced with a special documentary on the Minister and packed with presentations, by ATCON member organisations, focused on key industry issues, requiring the attention of the Minister.
Responding to the warm wishes and presentations, Pantami, expressed his gratitude to ATCON members, for the reception. He reiterated that, he has presented some of the challenges and concerns, facing the telecommunications sector, to the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), for necessary actions and called for the collaboration of all stakeholders, in the telecommunications sector, to enhance the growth of the sub-sector and entire ICT industry.
“Most of the issues raised are familiar issues, as they had been brought before me earlier and I can assure you that, actions are being taken, towards resolving those issues, for the development of the industry.
More importantly, I would like all of you, to join hands with the Ministry and its agencies, to see how to take our industry forward. Let me be the first to be contacted for any problem in the industry.
Furthermore, I want to pledge my commitment, to work with all stakeholders, in the sector and ask for their support, suggestions and constructive criticisms, wherever necessary, in order to promote the growth of the sector, for the betterment of all Nigerians,” the Minister said, at the reception.
Pantami, also, proposed a periodic meeting of the Ministry and its agencies, associations and captains in the industry to, regularly, review issues and progress made, in the industry.
The Minister noted that, the reception has provided a platform, for all industry stakeholders, to be on the same page with regards to the need to work together, towards advancing the frontiers of the ICT industry.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Olusola Teniola, President of ATCON, stated that, the idea of the reception, was conceived to achieve three objectives – to, formally, present and introduce the Minister to the captains of the industry, to give the industry, the opportunity, to meet with him and share experiences, on the state of the industry and where ATCON expects the industry, to be after the Minister’s tenure, as well as, to offer the Minister the opportunity to share his vision for the industry, with the relevant stakeholders.
Teniola, also, told the Minister that, ATCON, was willing and ready to work with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.
“We are ready to work with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, in order to understand how we can shape, mould and create, an industry that attracts further huge investments and create the environment, where innovation creates a fitting eco-system, for both, the smaller and larger operators, to co-exist, in order to create positive shareholder’s value and deliver a consumer experience that exceeds expectations. Collaboration remains a critical factor, in the success equation of our industry”, stressed Teniola.
Prominent personalities at the event, include Musa Fuktur Istifanus, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy; Prof. Umar Danbata, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC); Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agencies, (NITDA); and Dr. Abimbola Alale, Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, (NIGCOMSAT).
Other key personalities at the reception in honour of the Minister include, Yusuf Kazaure, Managing Director/CEO, Galaxy Backbone Limited; Adebisi Adegbuyi, Postmaster-General of the Federation and CEO Nigerian Postal Services, (NIPOST); Ayuba Shuaibu, Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund, (USPF), Directors from various agencies in the Ministry and its agencies, ATCON executive members, CEOs of telecommunication companies and other industry stakeholders.
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L-R: Ms. Abimbola Alale, Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT; Mr. Yusuf Kazaure, MD/CEO, Galaxy Backbone; Dr. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Mr. Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC at the Special Reception for the Minister
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