By Anayo Ezugwu

LEO Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, has urged the federal government to invest in information technology, ICT, stressing that it is the backbone of the many developed economies.

At the maiden Nigerian Online Merit Award, NiOMA, on ‘Leveraging the Internet Revolution to Leapfrog Nigeria’s Development,’ in Lagos, Ekeh said leveraging positively on information technology could solve Nigeria’s problems if well applied. He tasked government to fund and support information technology.

According to him, a lot could be achieved with the use of the internet, adding that a country is in darkness without the internet. Ekeh recalled how the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, gave internet to over 1,500 schools in Nigeria, and how the use of technology has created job opportunities to those who leveraged on it.

He charged the youth to be creative and innovative in order to help boost the economy as the ICT world would change by 2023. “Technology has become the driving force behind the fortunes of many nations. The 10 richest men in the world and the biggest companies in the world today can all be found in the technology sector.

“Technology remains the only profession that can help Nigeria bridge the gap between the country and other advanced countries in the world. I am a practical testimony of the possibilities in the sector, having led several technology teams,” he said.

On his part, Ernest Ndukwe, former executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, said with internet facilities all over the place, if used at good speed they would help develop the Nigerian economy.

Ndukwe, who chaired the event, said at the moment, technology rules the world and should be taken seriously by leaders at all levels. He said that although the internet had both negative and positive sides, the good impact outweighs the bad.

He said that it was important to harness the importance of technology and leverage on it. “The telecom sector, for instance, is making a lot of good impact in the economy in terms of creating revenues for the government and also providing jobs for the unemployed. The government, however, should be lenient with high levies imposed on the telecom sector as regards the issue of right of way,” he said.

NiOMA used the event to honour outstanding media houses, corporate organisations and individuals. The awardees are Guardian Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper, Daily Trust Newspaper, Access Bank and Fidelity Bank.

Others are Zenith Bank, Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, Abia State Government, Akwa Ibom State Government, Lagos State Government and Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communication.

– Jul. 17, 2018 @ 19:25 GMT |