Communication Minister tasks Danbatta, NCC on realizing digital economy goal

Share:

By Patrick Imo

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has been charged to redouble his efforts towards actualizing the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government.

The charge was made by Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy when the commission’s management paid a courtesy call on him following the reappointment of Prof. Danbatta as the EVC/CEO of the NCC for another five-year term.

The Minister emphasizing on the need for Danbatta-led NCC Management to work more harmoniously with the Ministry and Agencies towards ensuring effective implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as well as thorough implementation of the new National Broadband Plan (NBP), 2020-2025 noted that the proactive decision to recommend Danbatta’s reappointment to the President for approval was “to ensure stability in the telecommunications industry and consolidate on the gains and successes already recorded in the industry in the last five years of Danbatta’s leadership.

“The success of the Commission is our collective responsibility. While we, as a Ministry, do our best to formulate general industry policy and supervise the activities of the Commission, I urge the NCC family to be united, remove all lines of demarcation, ensure justice, fairness in all decisions and above all, ensure harmonious relationships. This task lies on the table of the EVC.”

Reminding the EVC that following the experience of COVID-19 pandemic that has left many individuals and organisations relying more on digital platforms for work and collaboration, the President and indeed all Nigerians are currently poised to boost digital economy hence the expectation that the sector Regulator, NCC should take the issue of digital economy very seriously and give it all the attention it deserves within Commission,” he said.

The EVC who spoke earlier appreciated the Minister on his role in his reappointment and reiterated his commitment to taking the Commission to greater heights.

He said “I consider my reappointment as the EVC of NCC for another five years, as an honour and a show of the confidence the Minister and the President have in our efforts at NCC in the last five years.

“We would like to assure the Minister, the President and all Nigerians of our commitment, as a Commission, to work with the Ministry and other Agencies under the Ministry’s supervision towards advancing the frontiers of digital economy in Nigeria.”

Similarly, the National President, Members of the National Executive Council (NEC) and the entire Members of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) have extended their congratulations to the EVC/CEO on this reappointment.

The Association sees his recent reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR following the recommendation by Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as a reward for his dedication and determination towards changing the narrative of the Nigerian telecom industry landscape through the implementation of programmes and projects that were carried out under its supervising ministry and have been adjudged to be enhancing and improving the lives of Nigerians.

In the words of ATCON’s President, “We are particularly happy that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has expressed his confidence in his continuity as a substantial Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC by advising the President for him to continue serving the industry as the chief regulator of the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

We know that his recommendation is predicated on him being a technocrat, a professional and a promoter of human relations and human capacity who has over the years initiated and implemented successful policies that have positive impact on businesses and Nigerians and we are very confident that he is equal to the task ahead.

We pledge our commitment to work with him and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and by extension, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to sustain and accelerate the growth and development of the Nigerian Telecoms and Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry.”

 

Previous Article

N500m Grass-cutting Scandal: Court to Rule on Eligibility of Witness July 6

Next Article

African Risk Capacity Conference of Parties (CoP) elects a new Director-General 

You may also like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.