Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, immediate past executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) who superintended Nigeria’s now famous telecom revolution is to chair the first ever ‘Telecom Infrastructure Protection RoundTable” scheduled to hold on September 5, 2012 at Orental Hotels, Lagos.
Ndukwe also chairman, Open Media Group will lead charge at the event aimed at re-awakening consideration and understanding of the critical place of ICT equipment and infrastructure.
Telecom Infrastructure RoundTable is an initiative of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the umbrella body of telecom companies in Nigeria and Communication Week Media, Publishers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek .
A statement jointly signed by Gbolahan Awonuga and Ken Nwogbo, executive secretary of ALTON and editor-in-chief of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek said that the one day Round Table is to dialogue and address the growing targeted attacks on telecom equipment, infrastructure and telecom workers.
“It is designed to complement the current security situation in the country and is germane because of the clear and present danger of pervading general insecurity” the statement stated.
The Round Table is strictly a not-for-profit initiative and is drawing participation from the office of the National Security Adviser, Chairmen of both Senate and House Committees on Communications, Ministers of Communications Technology and Science & Tech respectively. Also, Federal and State Government Agencies under Information and Communications Technology, Local Government Authorities, ICT firms, all security agencies, media as well as the general public will be in attendance.
“In the course of the RoundTable, threats to telecom equipment, infrastructure and telecom workers will be identified. Efforts to nationally secure telecommunication infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders will be explored and resolution reached,” the statement also added.
According to the organizers the event will also elevate discussions and build excitement about ICT infrastructure protection and is a departure from the usual inactive fora, as this will focus rather on collective front to tackle the problem.
The organizers said that Ndukwe is best situated to stir the event having earned meritorious tenures at the NCC that has placed Nigeria on the world map.
Ndukwe is a professional Communications Engineer, Corporate and Public Service Executive with over 35 years of international experience in the Telecommunications industry, majority of which have been in senior management positions in private multi-national telecommunications enterprises and in government Telecom Policy & Regulation.
Under his tenure at NCC, Nigeria auctioned the first digital mobile spectrum licenses recognized internationally as a resounding success.