The main aim of the ongoing National Council on Communications Technology (NCCT) is to examine where we are coming from and then know where we are going, this was stated by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu who led the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, the State Commissioners in charge of ICT, and Head of agencies under the ministry and other participants on a courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Bello Masari.
He expressed his appreciation to the Governor for accepting to host this conference which he considered as a patriotic duty. In addition, he told the governor that National Council on Communications Technology (NCCT) is a national body of the agencies and officials who meet yearly to deliberate on issues concerning ICT in Nigeria and to chart the way forward for the benefit of Nigerians.
The Honourable Minister also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has been emphasizing on diversification of the economy and that oil as a revenue earner is fast disappearing, that is why ICT would be given a pride of place to be the next revenue earner and which have potentials of enhancing our national unity. He also thanked the Governor for his giant stride in ICT development in the state.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Bello Masari appreciated the Honourable Minister for choosing Katsina State as a venue for the meeting and also highlighting the good things about ICT, but that the Honourable Minister need to look at the activities of the Service Providers and the way Social Media is being used to damage the image of individuals, families and our leaders. He called for adequate measures to be put in place to check the abuses.
Earlier on, the Honourable Minister of Communications paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar and the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman opined that ICT should be utilized for peace and progress also maintained that Nigeria unity is not negotiable and that promoters of hate speeches should stop it. In addition, he called for the implementation of the conference resolution.
Henshaw Ogubike Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations)