Pres. Jonathan, Uwaje, Others Honoured For Contribution To ICT Sector

11:03 - 15 October 2014

Nigeria's president alongside other notable citizens were honoured at the ICT Centenary Awards that was held recently for their contribution to the sector.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been conferred with the 'Grand Commander of ICT Promoters in Nigeria,' for being Nigeria's first digital President, at the just concluded 2014 Nigeria Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centenary Awards held recently.

Also honoured at the event, was the immediate past President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, Dr. Chris Uwaje, who was conferred with the indigenous and IT Policy advocate award.

The President, represented by the Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, said the decisive steps he has so far taken to transform the country through the Ministry of Communication Technology were to digitalize the economy.

He said that the federal government has raised awareness about ICT as a critical national infrastructure- in the same mold with power, roads and railways and is committed to the transformation of Nigeria into a digitalized economy.

He explained that he is aware of the key role broadband plays in facilitating the economic and social development of any nation, and facilitated the creation of a Broadband Strategy and Roadmap Plan for Nigeria and charged the ministry of communication technology to commence the implementation of the Plan.

His words: "I am pleased to receive this award because the decisive steps I have taken to transform Nigeria via ICTs are being honoured here today. I am committed to the transformation of Nigeria into a digitalized economy which was why the Ministry of Communication Technology was created to facilitate this transformation.

"The Ministry immediately set up a Broadband Council that is currently implementing the Plan with a target to increase the broadband penetration in Nigeria currently at about 7 per cent to 30 per cent by 2017.

The Ministry with my full support has achieved great strides in my quest to facilitate Nigeria's transformation via ICTs. I accept this award and assure you that my vision to leverage ICTs for the overall development of Nigeria is being realised and Nigeria will be a reference point for ICT development in the globe," he said.

The President also described the Nigerian ICT sector as a crucial sector that has added value to the Nigerian economy in a myriad of ways.

He listed some of the contribution of the sector to the economy as: increased GDP to 10.44 per cent as at 2013; increasing investments into Nigeria's ICT sector to $32 billion, making the ICT sector today as the 4th largest contributor to Nigeria's GDP.