The Federal Government has directed the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone Limited and Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to collaborate with the seven champions of the World Summit on the Information Society Forum (WSIS) which includes the winner of WSIS 2022 to ensure that their innovative solutions are of global benefits.The Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Chairman of WSIS 2022, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) made this known in Abuja during the awards presentation ceremony of WSIS Champions for 2020, 2021 and 2022.”I want to use this opportunity on behalf of Federal government of Nigeria to direct NITDA, Galaxy Backbone and NCC to look at your solutions and identify where you need support so that the solution will not just remain as a startup, but rather we want to build the solution here and becoming the tech giant at least in the next few years and this is our ambition”, the Minister said. Prof. Pantami stated that he is hopeful after the three institutions of government have had sessions with the WSIS champions, they will have their performances reviewed and rendered support where necessary so that their solutions will go beyond where they are presently and be of global benefit.He said the WSIS event, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland had technical sessions where youths around the world were challenged to submit their projects covering e-health, e-agriculture, e-education and other fields.”The heads of the technical session presented their results to me in Geneva and I am glad to say that some of our young innovators emerged as the global winners and champions”, he said. The winner for the WSIS 2022 Hackathon is Afrilingo by Franca Umasoye Igwe while the other six champions were, Association of Women in Technology in Nigeria by Martha Alade (2022); Initiative for Mothers with Cerebal Palsy Children in Nigeria by Rachael Inegbedion (2021); Top Up and Get Reward Limited by Samuel Babatunde (2021); Wizwish International Farm by Wisdom Ikpechukwu (2020); Chipsnbrain by Oluwaseyi Akinolu (2020); and Makerspace Project by Oreoluwa Lesi (2020)Prof. Pantami said because there wasn’t any formal sessions for 2020 and 2021 due. to COVID-19, the winners and champions for the aforementioned years were presented their awards during WSIS 2022.”Furthermore we are all aware that the Federal Government through the ministry and office of the Chief of Staff to President worked on the Nigerian startup bill which has already been passed by both arms of the National Assembly; we believe that in the next few days Mr President will look into it and it will become a law.He opined that when the startup bill is eventually passed into law, it will be among the major achievements of not only this administration but throughout the history of the Digital Economy and ICT in Nigeria.”In that bill, there are provisions of so many benefits for our young innovators and startups, like pioneer status, grants, incentives, loans and also the law when approved will establish a presidential council where Mr President will chair the council and he will be supported by the Vice President and the Minister incharge of the Digital Economy will be the vice-chair, where government, private sector and young innovators will come together; look into their challenges and Mr President will give directives there and then for the sector to continue to be very successful”, Prof Pantami.The CEO, Afrilingo, Franca Umasoye Igwe thanked the Minister and Federal of Nigeria for the recognition. While one of the WSIS champion Mrs. Martha Alade, Chief Executive Officer of Women in Technology in Nigeria appreciated the Honorable Minister’s effort to personally present their awards to them and not have them couriered which she said shows how passionate Prof Pantami is about startup and the ICT ecosystem in general.WSIS is the largest ICT event where development of the sector is put in the front burner. All the 193 United Nation countries are members.
Call for Contributions to the National Artificial Intelligence Policy
PRESS RELEASE
Call for Contributions to the National Artificial Intelligence PolicyArtificial Intelligence (AI) growth can be attributed to Digital Innovation and the evolution of technology. Globally, countries are grappling with ways to manage the exponential growth of new and emerging technologies to advance their economies.In cognisance of the exponential growth and potential value of digital technologies, which is in line with the vision of President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR, to diversify the Nigerian Economy through utilising digital technologies, the President launched the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), developed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE), to reposition Nigeria’s Economy and leverage the many opportunities provided by these digital technologies.It is against this backdrop that the Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim, directs the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to develop a National Artificial Intelligence Policy (NAIP). The development of the NAIP is envisaged to maximise the benefits, mitigate possible risks, and address some of the complexities attributed to using AI in our daily activities.Furthermore, it will provide directions on how Nigeria can take advantage of AI, including the development, use, and adoption of AI to proactively facilitate the development of Nigeria into a sustainable digital economy. NITDA is responsible for developing standards, guidelines, and frameworks for the IT sector in Nigeria, as enshrined in Section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007. The Agency invites the public to contribute and participate in developing National Artificial Intelligence Policy (NAIP).Kindly use the link below to participate by providing input or contributing to the Policy’s development as an expert/specialist volunteer.Send your input/contributions through: Contributions – https://forms.office.com/r/JmgCe8HauK Volunteer Expert Form – https://forms.office.com/r/nvmpp8Nv65 For inquiries and more information, please contact: ai@nitda.gov.ng
Signed:
Mrs Hadiza Umar, mnipr, m.apra, mciprHead, Corporate Affairs and External Relations NITDA
11th August 2022
NDDC Forensic Audit Report: President, Minister do not differ
PRESS STATEMENT
The attention of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has been drawn to a news report in Thisday newspaper of Thursday, 11 August 2022, which claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister, Mr Umana, have divergent positions on the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Forensic Audit into the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The news report is completely untrue and therefore misleading. There is no basis for any claim that the minister has a position on the Forensic Audit Report that is different from that of the President.
All stakeholders to the development of the Niger Delta region and the public at large are hereby advised to disregard the said news report as totally untrue and baseless.
Signed:
Deworitshe Patricia
D (Press & PR)
August 11th, 2022
MNDA COMMITED TO PARTNERING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP N’DELTA REGION – UMANA
PRESS RELEASE
Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) Mr. Umana Okon Umana has restated the commitment of the Ministry in partnering with major stakeholders and development partners to ensure the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
The Minister disclosed this when the former Senior Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang paid him a courtesy visit recently in his office in Abuja.
According to him, “The Ministry is committed to supporting you in all of these initiatives so that we would have maximum benefit in the development of the region and Nigeria at large.
Commenting on oil theft, he explained that though complicated, no option would be excluded in tackling the menace, adding that efforts are made to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.
Umana stressed that the Ministry is taking steps to review the already concluded audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as it would provide proper foundational template for the implementation and execution of projects in the region.
He therefore promised to do his best to support efforts, initiatives and programmes that will lead to the Ministry’s achievement of its objectives and mandate.
Earlier, Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sharon Ikeazor, stated that there should be effective coordination of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to promote developmental projects in the region.
“The region would be highly interested in aqua-culture, therefore we would coordinate and research intervention partners and agencies that has been doing great job in the Niger Delta region without the knowledge of the ministry for the sustainability of the development of the region”, she further stated.
Briefing the Hon. Ministers on his activities while in office, the former Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang, opined that the focus of his office has been on Niger Delta economic diversification.
“My office has been working with various MDAs to ensure programmes and projects such as agriculture (Oil alternative programmes), fisheries are executed in the interest of the Niger Delta people, I therefore solicit for the continuation of the projects by the Ministry in order to achieve the desired goal”, he stated.
The Honourable Minister also received the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN) in audience, while acknowledging the group as part of the critical stakeholders, pledged to work with them as inputs are needed from all stakeholders in the implementation of the Ministry’s agenda and programmes that would impact positively on the Niger Deltans.
He assured the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the development of the region while urging the youth to provide an enabling environment, right leadership, maintain orderliness which would help the ministry and Federal Government to accomplish their expectations
The President of the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN), Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine, while commending the efforts of the Honourable Ministers, he urged them to project programmes and activities that would benefit the poor in the region.
He assured the Ministers of their support and providing an enabling environment for the Ministry’s activities to thrive in the Niger Delta region.
Deworitshe Patricia
D (Press & PR)
August 9th, 2022
NCPC BOSS BAGS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AS PEACE AMBASSADOR
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr Yakubu Pam has bagged an award of Excellence by the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS). The award was presented to him in his office at the NCPC corporate headquarters in Abuja, on 9th August, 2022.
The NCPC Boss in his address appreciated the association for considering him worthy of the award. According to him, ‘he is elated to see youths who are focused, purposeful and articulated come together for a better course’.
He explained that most problems of our country is the youths who have made themselves agents of negative tendencies. As such, he urged the association to fully utilize the platform to organize programmes for youths that bring hope to them and the country at large.
Rev. Pam challenged the youths to go on research in order to develop themselves, in his words,” the greatest knowledge you will have is not the one you learn in the classroom, but the one you discover by yourself”. He encouraged them to always do the right thing always and don’t be discouraged when their voices are not heard, that surely they will be remembered one day”.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation of the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students, Comrade Usman El-Yakub said they were in the Commission to identify with the Executive Secretary and also to present an award of Excellence to him, following his records of good leadership and humanitarian services.
Comrade El-Yakub explained that the association is a non-governmental body formed by students in the North, with the aim of orienting students to disengage in negative practices like Drug Abuse and Cultism. He further explained that they organize lectures, skill acquisition programmes, as well as partner with security agencies in order to give their contributions to the society.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Award of Excellence to the Executive Secretary as a token of encouragement and appreciation from the student community for his kind gesture to the community.
Godiya Mathew
Information Officer1
Media & Public Relations
NCPC BOSS COMMENDS GOV OKOWA ON PILGRIMAGE SPONSORSHIP
PRESS RELEASE
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has commended the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his consistency in the sponsorship of christians on Pilgrimage to the Holy land.
He gave the commendation on 8th August, 2022 during the orientation programme organized by NCPC for intending pilgrims at the Government House, Asaba.
The NCPC boss was represented at the event by the Director of Mobilization , Mr Chris Udegbunam.
In the words of the NCPC boss,” my special thanks go to the Executive Governor of Delta State,, His Excellency,Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his consistency in the sponsorship of christians in the state on Pilgrimage”
He further commended the Governor for his efforts in advancing the cause of Christian Pilgrimage in Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.
Rev Pam congratulated the intending pilgrims for their level of preparedness both spiritually and physically to embark on the journey of Faith.
The NCPC helmsman enjoined the intending pilgrims to shun abscondment, stating that the Commission frowns seriously at it and would do everything humanly possible to discourage it.
He affirmed that it is the policy of the Commission to achieve zero abscondment of pilgrims in the Holy land.
He further applauded Governor Okowa for being the only State Chief Executive in South South who sponsored pilgrims to the Kingdom of Jordan in 2021.
In his remarks at the event, the Chairman of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev Cyril Odutemu admonished the intenting pilgrims to conduct themselves decently while in the Holy land. He stressed that the Board would not tolerate any form of unruly behavior in the Holy land.
He further advised them not to do anything that would undermine the security of the host country.
Also in his remarks ,the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Apostle Samuel Okoh, charged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria .
He urged them to endeavor to cooperate with the state officials and officials of NCPC while in the Holy land.
About 315 intending pilgrims of Delta State would be airlifted to the Holy land of Israel and Jordan
this Monday 8th, August, 2022 from the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Signed:
Celestine
Head Media and Public Relations
Asaba, Delta State,
8th August,2022.
FUTURE OF NIGERIA IS INDEED WOMEN AS DEMONSTRATED BY NIGERIAN WOMEN IN SPORTS.
PRESS STATEMENT
There is indeed a need to celebrate Nigerian Women and Girls, as they continue to redefine Nigeria in the eyes of the world.
As a mother would not allow her home to crumble in any ailing situation, the young women on the Team Nigeria to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have risen to the challenge of changing the narratives for the image of Nigeria for the best, by hurling in gold medals to place Nigeria on the global arena as the best African Team in the competition
As I watched these amazing Amazon’s embrace the Nigerian flag with infectious joy, to the amazement of the world, I was more than ever convinced that the future of this Nation lies in the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian Woman. If they can do it in sports, they can also bring about a robust and strategic approach in addressing the challenges of the Nigerian State. Women, I should say, hold the ace and must be given the opportunity to showcase their potential.
And so, with pride as the Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs, I dare to say that in all my experience of Nigeria’s participation in sports at international engagements, the year 2022, which we already tagged as the “Year of “Hope” for Nigerian Women and Girls has remained the best for Team Nigeria Athletes, ever with the young women doing us proud.
Let me therefore commend and congratulate the amazing quartet Women Relay Team of Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Grace Nwokocha and the superlative golden girl, Tobi Amusan, who also won another gold medal in the 100m women’s hurdle event. I want to also thank the likes of Ese Brume, Blessing Oborududu, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye, Miesinnei Mercy Genesis, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, Folashade Oluwafemilayo, Eucharia Iyiazi, Chioma Onyekwere and Goodness Nwachukwu who all won gold medals in their events. Not forgetting those who won silver and bronze medals. They remain our Unsung heroines whom we intend to celebrate.
Please be assured of my commitment to your overall wellbeing. I had prepared to be there with you physically, but due to an accident, I suffered in the course of my work, it became impossible. I am however, in touch with the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Otunba Sunday Dare, even as we await your arrival in the country at the end of the event.
It is heartwarming to know that the Team Nigeria won 12 Gold, 9 Silver and 14 bronze medals with the women carting away most of the medals in all categories. Nigerian women and Girls are indeed very proud of you.
Long Live our female Athletes
Long Live Nigerian Women and Girls
Long Live President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Signed:
Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, KSG
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs
8th August, 2022
Startup Ecosystem: DG NITDA Engages Key Stakeholders in Lagos
In view of the fact that Lagos State has continued to maintain itself as a viable community with the strongest unicorn of innovation in the Nation, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has reiterated the Agency’s commitment towards giving the ecosystem the needed support to boost the sector’s contribution to the economy and strengthen the value chain.
He made the pledge during a dinner meeting with some key stakeholders of Lagos Ecosystem, including representatives from Microsoft, MasterCard, Norebase, among others.
Inuwa while suing for trust, and strengthening of the value chain deliberated on the best way to accelerate growth and support startups in the country, said “there are lots of distrust within the government and the ecosystem, so much that the only way to engender trust between the two entities is to have this conversation”.
The Director-General assured the group of his unrelenting support to the ecosystem which he maintained would be his return base upon retirement from government service, emphasised the need for collaborations across the board to achieve a faster and more sustainable digital economy.
“We cannot succeed in isolation; we need each other to succeed. Innovation is not distributed evenly across the world. Innovation and digital economy is about humans”.
“A company is as good as its next product and its products are as good as the person or people who make them. This underscores the relevance of talents. If you don’t have the requisite skills and talents, then it is no deal”, he added.
The DG seized the opportunity to share his thoughts on different issues bordering on investments, partnerships, commercialisation of innovations, enabling policies and acquisition of relevant skills as well as trainings.
“At NITDA, we are reenacting our act and laws to make it more robust so that we protect the ecosystem”, Inuwa stated.
The NITDA Boss whose friendly body language gave the forum some sort of a relaxed atmosphere was keen on listening to their opinions and suggestions on how to get the ecosystem perform much better.
“The sector we are in is dynamic and we must move with its pace, so we don’t play catch ups or get left far behind. We must disrupt the way we do things and bring to bear professionalism, innovations that will solve indigenous problems but have global impact”, the DG urged.
While taking turns to share their ideas and challenges, some of the representatives touched on diverse areas of concern and specialisations, including soliciting for government support in the development of hardware space, funding, talents, procurements, local content enforcement, mitigating gateways, policy timings and changes, data protection and management, digital skills framework, standardisation and others.
Reacting to their comments and questions, the Director-General extensively explained the efforts of NITDA under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and by extension, the Federal Government in addressing most of the issues deliberated.
The Start-up Bill was also on the front burner of his response as the DG quickly reminded them that most of the concerns raised would soon be rested, given the recent passage of the Bill into law by the National Assembly.
He assured the startups of a speedy and effective implementation of the bill to deal with the bottlenecks experienced and in the process, fast track the anticipated growth of the ecosystem.
Moreso, Inuwa highlighted the Code of Practice for Interactive Platforms as another document that is expected to engender appropriate monitoring to enforce compliance to established regulations guiding the sector, while seeking for their contribution to the document.
“We need to decide what and what are the right regulations so that every startup and industry player would have a Code of Practice that works for everyone and is adhered to the latter. Also, I think we need to form a union for Startup Ecosystem”, Inuwa added.
The engagement with Lagos ecosystem ended with a resolve by all parties to forge ahead against all odds but not just as an ecosystem but a more united and prepared for the future tasks.
The meeting was part of NITDA’s stride towards making Nigeria a talent hub for Africa and possibly the digital world, especially as there are several reports indicating a global talent shortage.
ISRAEL TO COMMENCE REGULAR DIRECT FLIGHTS WITH NIGERIA
PRESS RELEASE
.
Israel and Nigeria would soon commence regular direct flights. The Israeli Tourism Minister, Yoel Razvozov disclosed this recently in Jerusalem during a meeting with the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam who met with the Tourism Minister twice during his recent visit to Israel.
The Tourism Minister explained that the initial plan was to operate only charter flights between both countries, but the major focus now is to operationalize regular direct flights between the two countries.
Their meeting was primarily centred on mutually beneficial relationship between both countries which was hinged on how to operate regular flights by a Nigerian airline.
The Minister affirmed that Nigeria,s current population of 206 million stands the country at advantage position as the most populous black nation on the African continent.He added that christians constitute about 50 percent of the population of Nigeria, hence the country has a reasonable number of intending pilgrims she can boast of.
Mr Razvozor posited that the direct regular flights by a Nigerian airline to Israel would certainly galvanize intending pilgrims from Nigeria to fly often to the Holy Sites in Israel and even boost their financial strength.
However, he was not sure whether the regular direct flights would operate from Lagos, Nigeria,s commercial capital or from Abuja the official capital of Nigeria.He assured the NCPC boss that this would be sorted out as events unfolds.
The Israeli Tourism Minister commended the bold efforts of the NCPC boss at repositioning the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Israel through Pilgrimage.
He further commended him for finding time to visit Israel for the meeting.He added that the NCPC boss would be making history when the regular direct flight between Nigeria and Israel kicks off; being the current Executive Secretary of NCPC who played key role in its actualization.
Signed
Celestine Toruka
Head, Media and Public Relations
30th July, 2022.
MNDA/NDDC RETREAT: UMANA VOWS TO PUBLISH LIST OF NDDC PROJECTS BEFORE PAYMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Honourable Minister of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Umana Okon Umana, has promised to publish a list of completed and uncompleted projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission for public scrutiny, as part of efforts to pay contractors and usher in a new era of transparency and accountability.
The Minister was addressing newsmen at the end of a two-day top management retreat for the Ministry and the Commission held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Umana expressed the Ministry’s determination to prioritize high impact projects at the NDDC to improve living conditions of Niger Delta people, adding that only “projects that are of great importance to the various communities would be embarked upon due to available resources, for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.”
He explained that the objective of the retreat was to harmonise activities and programmes of the two organisations, as well as “build a stronger collaboration that will improve performance, for the sustainable development of the region.”
He added: “The Ministry and the NDDC have also resolved to strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders, by consulting effectively with state governments and other critical stakeholders and partners in driving development in the region. We are determined to make sure that we build a common collaboration, not just between the Ministry and NDDC, but with other stakeholders, the IOC’s and all those who are critical to our success, in order to drive development in the region.”
Umana said that collaboration will involve effective consultation with various State Governments on project conception, execution and monitoring, “so that all stakeholders will be on the same page,” adding: “We have considered the issues impeding the performance of the two bodies and have come out with strategies to deal with identified problems that will alleviate poverty in the region.”
While expressing gratitude for the contributions and continuous efforts of the ministry and NDDC towards promoting the programmes, mandates and developmental goals of both organisation, he promised that positive impact would be achieved in the lives of the people of Niger Delta region within a short time.
The two-day retreat witnessed papers from the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folushade Yemi-Esan, who spoke on ““Federal Government Reforms Initiatives: The Role of MDAs”, and former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, who spoke on “Ministries and its Agencies Relationship: A Panacea for Infrastructural Development and a Prosperous Niger Delta Region.”
Other papers included “Prudent Use of Government Resourses” by Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, “A New Niger Delta: The Vision and Mandate of NDDC,” by the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Dr. Efiong Akwa, as well as an overview of the retreat presented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi.
Patricia Deworitshe
D (Press & PR)
July 29, 2022