By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will be leading information and Communications Technology (ICT) stakeholders to the 14th Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Lecture/Awards this Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Oriental Hotels, Lekki, Lagos as special guest of honour.
The event seen as the biggest gathering of ICT stakeholders will be chaired by group managing director, Medallion Data centre Engr. Ike Nnamani while the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(EVC/CEO) of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta and Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mallam Kashifu Inuwa will deliver industry regulatory keynotes at the event.
The theme of this year’s lecture is “Digital Transformation and Cloud Services as New Order.” Cloud services play a critical role in accelerating digital transformation and delivering essential public services.
To achieve the next stage of digital transformation and enable countries to reap the benefits of the global digital economy, governments must prioritize adoption of cloud services where feasible. Cloud technologies offer cost savings, the ability to scale rapidly, access to advanced cybersecurity features and big data processing using AI.
According to CEO, Communication Week Media Ltd, organisers of the ABoICT Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series, Ken Nwogbo “Prof. Isa Pantami since appointed minister of Communications and Digital Economy has brought about positive changes in the sector among them are linking of NIN with SIM which has reduced the use of mobile phones for nefarious activities, digital transformation in public sector as well as laying foundation for a digital economy.”
According to Mr. Nwogbo, under the supervision of Prof. Pantami ICT sector recorded unprecedented 17.92 per cent highest ever contribution to the country’s GDP in the 2nd Quarter of 2021 having also accomplished increased in the growth rate of the ICT sector to 14.70 per cent in the 4th Quarter of 2020 making it the best performing sector of the economy that contributed to Nigeria’s exit from recession.
Another accomplishment, Nwogbo said, is the formulation of the Nigerian startup bill which was finally passed into law by the Senate on 20th of July, 2022. The Nigerian Startup Bill (NSB) would help address more than 90 per cent of the challenges confronting technology innovators in the country.
Past speakers include Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice-chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; and Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, among others.
The events drew top politicians and government functionaries as well captains in the ICT industry as well financial institutions.
