The Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu has charged agencies under his Ministry to work together for effective delivery of service to the citizens and the nation at large.
He made this known during the ongoing 2018 Ministerial Retreat with a theme; Mobilizing ICT Institutions for Driving Economic Recovery and Growth at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Minister said that the major objectives of the retreat were building synergy between the Ministry and its Agencies as well as strengthening the policy framework and targets for the future.
Dr. Shittu said that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) has entrusted the implementation of a number of strategies and initiatives on the ICT sector which can only be effectively achieved if the Ministry and its Agencies work together.
He reiterated the need for the sector to overcome constraints of weak institutional frameworks that prevent synergy among existing ICT institutions adding that the retreat was aimed to bring together the strategic Management Staff of the Ministry and its Agencies to take stock of activities and achievements in the Sector.
In his words, “I expect the forum to stimulate critical thinking, review and advise appropriately on the activities of the Ministry and its agencies that can lead to achievement of ICT related expectations of the Government Agenda as well as engender greater contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dr. Shittu pointed out that access to ICT has become critical for participation in economic, political and social life both at national and international levels.
“New technologies such as Internet of Things, Cloud computing, Mobile money, Big Data are also introducing new possibilities, and therefore, it is crucial that Nigeria harness the potential of these technologies to address social and economic development in the country’.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Abdulaziz Mashi stated that the retreat intends to leverage on the strategic and pivotal role of the Nigeria’s ICT sector to drive the nation’s economy through its added services to the growth of many sector.
He added that, the retreat would consolidate on the achievement of the outcome of the last retreat and afford the Ministry the opportunity to validate the Zero draft of the reviewed ICT policy and proposed ICT Sector Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.
Minister of Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu and cross section of participant d during the ongoing 2018 Ministerial Retreat with a theme; Mobilizing ICT Institutions for Driving Economic Recovery and Growth at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State
Henshaw Ogubike
Deputy Director PRESS
