Telecom
Economic Diversification, a Pivotal Tool in Creating Prosperity – DG NITDA
Mallam Kashifu InuwaAbdulahhi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has said that economic diversification is not basically just to alleviate poverty but also to create prosperity by designing a high value market chain for our local production.
Abdullahi said this Tuesday at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) Office, Wuye when he hosted delegates from the Federal University of Technology, Minna led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Bala.
The DG explained that technological ecosystem comprises of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) which grow lineally and the Innovative Driven Enterprises (IDE’s) which grow exponentially and have a broader market, adding that innovation is the best mechanism in creating prosperity.
He further said that most of the developed and wealthy nations do not depend on their natural resources but on creative innovations.
Abdullahi expressed his delight at the University’s intention in seeking more collaboration, a synergy which he described as strategic in sustaining a digital economy, prepare the students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and boost Industrialization as a whole to move the country forward.
He said that the creation of an ICT hub for universities in all the geo-political zones which included the Federal University of Technology, Minna was in line with the NCAIR’s mandate of collaborating with universities in empowering youths.
“Graduates are unemployable these days because all they know is theory and will always need additional training upon employment but exposing them to these technology advancements will broaden their knowledge and give them the opportunity to conceptualize their ideas,” he said.
The NITDA boss stated that minimal capital is needed to be a part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and that is the purpose of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Centre, to devise ways in which fundamental technology can be used to solve problems and create prosperity.
Earlier in his speech, Professor Abdullahi Bala said that the purpose of the visit was to thank the Agency for its intervention of IT Hub to the university which has been built and commissioned for use and also to leverage on the cordial relationship between the Agency and the University in exploring more collaborative opportunities for productive interactions in Research, Innovation and Development in Emerging technologies.
He assured the DG that the University has scaled its capacity to further collaborate and complement the efforts of NITDA by creating an International Centre for Emerging Technology, an initiative which he believes, in collaboration with the NCAIR will focus on areas of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Capacity Building, Research and Development.
Professor Bala said that the University has all it takes to train NITDA scholars in post graduate studies and admonished them to come occasionally as visiting lecturers to interact with their students.
Digital solutions company, Globacom, over the weekend at the annual Champion Newspapers Awards which held Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos won the Telecommunication Company of The Year Award.
The award was in recognition of Globacom’s position as Nigeria’s Most innovative telecoms operator focused on providing affordable tools of communication that will transform lives and businesses.
In her welcome address, Managing Director of Champion Newspapers Limited, Dr (Mrs) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, expatiate on reason for the awards ceremony. She said, “all that we strive to do is to recognize excellence and hard work with a view to agitating our minds into doing more good”.
She explained further that “for Nigeria to get better and bigger, we will need more of this caliber of people and institutions who we set out to honour this evening because they constitute an integral part of the best”.
Personalities at the event include top private and public sector players from First Bank, Fidelity Bank, Julius Berger Plc, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Limited, CEOs of UBA, Zenith Bank and Fidelity Bank.
The Managing Editor of Champion, Mr Kelvin Egerue remarked that Globacom has made a lot of sacrifice to make telecommunications services available to Nigerians at the most affordable rate. “Nigerians will forever be proud to note that Globacom is always there to ensure that they are not exploited, he said.
Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive West Africa at Africa Data Centres (ADC), received a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards held during the weekend in Lagos.
Widely recognized as the industry’s most respected annual event in Nigeria, the Awards ceremony acknowledged Dr. Krishnan’s (often referred to as “Dr. Krish”) unwavering dedication and significant contributions to the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) landscape.
“We are delighted to present you with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s distinguished Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Lecture,” declared Mr. Ken Nwogbo, founder of Nigerian CommunicationsWeek, the event organizer. The Lecture Series itself focuses on initiatives propelling Nigeria’s position on the global ICT map.
Mr. Nwogbo further highlighted that Dr. Krishnan was one of only four individuals selected for the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award by a rigorous selection committee. This recognition honors their consistent commitment to providing innovative ICT solutions and services that fuel Nigeria’s thriving digital economy.
Dr. Ranganath boasts over three decades of experience in the global ICT sector, collaborating with various multinationals across emerging markets. His impressive career includes managing complex projects in developing economies and fostering strong relationships with leading global players across industries.
A key figure in establishing and managing networks and data centers in emerging economies, Dr. Krishnan possesses a proven track record of optimizing resource allocation for achieving organizational goals. He is also actively involved in promoting local African content and crafting long-term ICT strategies and roadmaps for various African countries, with a specific focus on West Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure development.
Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy through the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in collaboration with Data.Org has launched a Responsible Data Management Course, a free online course resource targeted at equipping public servants with the fundamentals of ethical data management.
It bridges the theoretical aspects of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 with practical knowledge of data rights and responsibilities, helping public servants navigate data management complexities and mitigate vulnerabilities in public service.
“This partnership between the NDPC and Data.Org is the first in a series of engagements that we have planned to equip civil servants responsible for data management with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate and engage in a rapidly developing work environment that is being enabled by the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure,” said Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy.
The Responsible Data Management Course is designed for Heads of IT, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Data Protection Officers (DPOs), IT & Cybersecurity Personnel, and Officers in roles that deal with data processing and privacy within Federal and State MDAs. This is regarded as a platform to train 10,000 public servants in data management.
The concise, self-paced online learning resource which is designed to be completed in just 2-3 hours, will be available in four (4) cohorts, ensuring broad accessibility and continuous learning opportunities. Certificates would be issued to participants at the completion of each cohort.
Registration begins May 28, 2024, via https://dmc.ndpc.gov.ng. The schedule is as follows:
– Cohort 1: June 19 – July 17, 2024
– Cohort 2: July 22 – August 17, 2024
– Cohort 3: August 19 – September 14, 2024
– Cohort 4: September 16 – October 12, 2024
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, NC/Chief Executive Officer, NDPC, stated, “The privacy issues arising from emerging technologies, which were not envisaged many years ago, are becoming increasingly prominent. Accordingly, we are implementing appropriate measures to enhance the capacity of Nigerians in the Data Protection ecosystem. The Responsible Data Management Course is one of such initiatives designed to equip Nigeria Public Servants with relevant skills to be globally competitive.”
Dr. Uyi Stewart, Chief Data and Technological Officer, Data.Org, notes that the” Responsible Data Management Course provides public servants with foundational data science knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about data that reflect the practical tenets of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and helps them to understand the ethical handling of data, safeguarding the privacy and rights of individuals, as well as effective data governance.”
By delving into the principles of responsible data handling and the lifecycle of data management, this course equips public servants with the knowledge of regulatory requirements and the ethical frameworks that guide their application. This dual focus prepares public servants to make informed decisions that reflect both the letter and the spirit of the law, ensuring that their actions contribute positively to the trust and confidence in public institutions.
Responsible Data Management Course for Nigerian public servants underscores the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s commitment to advancing the digitization of public services and integrating technology into daily interactions.
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