ICT: NITDA holds stakeholders’ meeting for sustainable digitisation


National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, on Thursday, organised a stakeholders’ meeting, as part of efforts at achieving a sustainable digital economy in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the programme, held in Abeokuta, Ogun, has, as its theme: “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Towards Digitisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution.”

In his address at the occasion, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, said that the stakeholders’ engagement had become necessary for the agency to meet the objectives of national information technology governance.

Mr Inuwa, who was represented by Jide Ajayi, Director, Zonal Offices Directorate, said that the engagement was in tandem with the agency’s core values of ‘People’s First, Innovativeness and Professionalism’.

“Indeed, that is why we are here today. Our stakeholders come first and we must strive to deliver value to you.

“This will, however, not be possible without listening to you and speak with you to be clear about on your perspectives, aspirations and needs,” he said.

The director-general noted that in its 20 years of existence, NITDA had continuously considered its mandate, reset its vision and invigorated its mission.

He further said that as the needs of the digital economy ecosystem continued to grow, the agency had also continued to respond appropriately.

“This has been demonstrated in the strategic actions the agency had taken in the implementation of critical areas of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

“NDEPS, as a strategic document approved by the Federal Executive Council, focuses on seven pillars which are critical to the development of a digital economy.

“They include: developmental regulation, digital literacy and skills, solid infrastructure, service infrastructure and digital services as well as development and promotion.

“Others are: digital society and emerging technologies, soft infrastructure and indigenous content development and adoption,” Mr Inuwa said.

Mr Inuwa also listed some of the ‘people-oriented programmes that the agency had implemented to include: National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture, NAVSA, National Adopted Village for Smart Education, NAVSE, and Digital Literacy Capacity Building for Persons Living with Disabilities.

Others, according to him, are: Issuance of Nigerian Data Protection Regulation, NDPR, Support for ICT Innovation Hubs and Building of Community ICT Centres.

“There is, however, always the need to re-strategise, even in the face of new challenges and opportunities that the digital economy ecosystem provides.

“We, therefore, view this meeting as a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experience and expertise and co-create solutions, articulate strategies and extend our services to all stakeholders, particularly those at the grassroots,” he said.

The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, commended the federal government for the establishment of NITDA, charged with planning, development and promotion of the use of ICT in the country.

Mr Arigbabu stressed the need for NITDA to continue to enter into strategic alliance, collaboration and joint venture with public and private sectors for the actualisation of its IT vision.

He expressed optimism that such measures would make Nigeria to be an IT-compliant country, using technology as an engine for sustainable development and global competitiveness.

The commissioner noted that the programme was very germane to the advancement and betterment of education sector in the state and Nigeria at large.

“The purpose of NITDA is to create a framework for planning, research, development, standardisation, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology practices in Nigeria.

“This laudable initiative is also in consonance with the mission of the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun.

“Another benefit of this great vision is that it will assist policy makers and managers of education at all levels in planning and making prompt decisions.

“I assure that the best is yet to come for our country and we sincerely appreciate the federal government and those who have contributed immensely to this programme,” Mr Arigbabu said. 

Source (NAN)

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