Media
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| By Anayo Ezugwu | Jun 13, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT |
THE DigitalSENSE Africa media has held a forum where stakeholders in the information and communications technology, ICT, sector urged the federal government to utilise opportunities created by internet to solve problems of unemployment in the country.
Nkemdilim Nweke, executive director, operations, DigitalSENSE Africa Media, who captured the opinion of others participants at the 2016 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development, IG4D, and Nigeria IPv6 series in Lagos, on Thursday, June 2, said internet will help in Nigeria advance in solve youth unemployment in the ever-rapidly advancing phenomenon of global ICT.
Nweke said that this years’ theme is very apt considering the unemployment rate in the country today. The crash in the global price of crude oil has brought about challenging times to the country and businesses alike. Hence, the need to expose the teeming unemployed populace to the huge online job opportunities.
“It is my distinct pleasure and privilege to welcome you on behalf of DigitalSENSE Africa and the collaborating stakeholders, the NCC and NITDA, to the eighth edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development, IG4P. As a platform for Nigerian internet stakeholders’ annual assembly, the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on IG4D raises and addresses relevant issues concerning the information and communication technology sector with particular reference to computing, internet governance-related issues.”
Nweke called on the federal government to make telecoms infrastructure a critical national resource as this would also mean protecting jobs and businesses online. She said that when telecoms infrastructures are tampered with, jobs and businesses online are affected. She condemned the Bill before the National Assembly seeking for nine percent tax on all electronic services.
“I wish to condemn in totality the motion before the National Assembly for a nine percent tax on all electronic services as this will further impoverish the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths thereby making it more difficult for people to access and share knowledge which the electronic communication is made to bridge.
“Nigerians are already paying for all the mismanagement of our leaders why make them pay more especially in the present economic downturn. I sincerely hope that this edition will be very fruitful and that, you all will leave here enriched with more knowledge and experience that will better position you to take your future in your hands and make the society a better place for all.”
On his part, Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, who was represented by Oluwatoyin Asaju, deputy director, Spectrum Administration, NCC, said the commission is committed at achieving the broadband penetration across the country. He said that the 30 percent broadband penetration by 2018 is achievable.
Danbatta noted that going by the record of the industry in the last 15 years it shows that by 2018 Nigeria should be able to achieve 30 percent broadband penetration as spelt out in the broadband policy. At the moment, he said the country has achieved 10 percent penetration.
“As the regulator of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria, NCC will do whatever is necessary to make sure that we facilitate the implementation of broadband. We have started already. Some companies have been licensed to provide cables across the country and some spectrums have been released that will also facilitate the implementation of broadband development in Nigeria,” he said.
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