IT NEWS NIGERIA
Presley Odeyenuma, Abuja
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has said Nigeria’s Vision 2020 recognizes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as critical for catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development of the nation.
Danbatta disclosed this while delivering the opening remarks at the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) 1st Digital African Week Conference in Transcorp Hilton, Maitama, Abuja today.
According to him, Nigeria’s Vision 2020 recognizes the importance and imperatives of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as part of the “new world order” and catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.”
Speaking further, teh EVC said standardization of emerging technologies such as IoT, Smart Cities & Communities, E-waste & Circular Economy and Electromagnetic radiations are very important to the African continent.
He also added that Nigeria has not only achieved but exceeded the 30% penetration target set by the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018. At the end of June 2019, our broadband penetration stood at 33.31%.
“The NCC has developed framework to facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country through the licensing of infrastructure companies (Infraco) to deploy metro & inter-city fiber & broadband Point of Access with a minimum capacity of 10Gbps,” he said.
Our Correspondent gathered that the decision to create SG20 was made by the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva. Study Group 20 is responsible for issues relating to Internet of things (IoT), its applications, smart cities & communities (SC&C).
Study Group 20 is also responsible for studies relating to big data aspects of IoT & SC&C, e‑Services & smart services for SC&C. It is also responsible for developing international standards to enable the coordinated development of IoT technologies.
The 1st Digital African week organised by the #ITU in conjunction with the Management of ITU-T Study Group 20 (SG20) & Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa includes a forum on Smart Sustainable Africa & a Forum on Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF).
Recalled NCC) announced ITU will today begin a four-day 1st Digital African Week Conference in Abuja
According to a Press Release signed by Henry Nkemadu, Director, Public Affairs at the Commission, the event hosted by the NCC will holds in the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja is expected to bring together leading Specialists in the field, from top policy-makers to engineers, designers, smart city planners, government officials, regulators, standards experts, the academia among others.
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said “this Conference is first of its kind and it will bring together everybody that has a role in the fast growing telecommunications industry in Africa.”
Danbatta, who is also a telecommunications engineer, explained that “the conference will run from Tuesday August 27, to Friday August 30, 2019 and will be communicated both in English and French.”
“Participation in the trainings and forum is strictly for those who have pre-registered online and open to anyone with interest in topics related to smart and sustainable cities, frontier technologies, Electro Magnetic Fields (EMFs) and circular economy and it is at no cost to participants.” Danbatta added.
