DON ADVOCATES STATES’ MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY, CHARGES OGUN STATE TO LEAD

A Professor of Computer Science and Information Security at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Southwest Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Society of Computer Science, Professor ‘Bukola Onashoga has advocated for the creation of Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy at various states of the Federation.

Professor ‘Bukola Onashoga who is also the Chairman , Board of Trustees of 720 Degree Innovation Hub stated this during the Digital Nigeria Day held recently in Abeokuta, the capital of the Gateway State.

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The Digital Nigeria Day is a day that has been set aside by the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (FMCDE) to commemorate The United Nations Resolution A/RES/3038 XXVII where United Nations Day, 24th October was instituted as “World Development Information Day” with the concept and objective of drawing the attention of the World public opinion each year to development problem and the necessity of strengthening international co-operation to solve them.

According to the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy – NDEPS (2020-2030) by the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (FMCDE), the Digital Nigeria Day is to be marked in every State and the activities should be coordinated by a State Coordinator, preferably a Commissioner of a relevant Ministry in the State.

“This year’s celebration was tagged “Digital Transformation: A Path to Sustainable Digital Economy” and Ogun State observed the day accordingly.

At the program, Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte, Director, Standards, Regulations, Planning and Research, emphasized the successful ICT initiatives complimenting E-Governance within the State at the Digital Nigeria Day celebration in Ogun State and highlighted the line up for this year edition at the Plenary session moderated by Prof. Onashoga with an audience of over 150 attendees while ICT quiz competition was organised for Secondary school students from across the 20 LGAs in Ogun State with 35 competitors. Prizes were awarded to best participants.

Prof ‘Bukola Onashoga who was the Moderator at the program with Engr Femi Williams , the CEO of NewWaves Ecosystem Ltd, Mr. Ola Mustapha MD/CEO GNL Systems Ltd and Dr. Ademola Adenubi, Director of the ICT Centre of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State as Discussants were unanimous in their conclusion that Nigeria can leverage on digital economy to improve on the well being of the people, create wealth and sustainable livelihoods.

“It is important for states of the Federation to come up with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and work harmoniously towards improving the economy of the country.”

The discussants believed digital economy as the main driver of economic growth in both developed and developing countries. The digital economy mainly based on ICT helps to increase capital and labor productivity and to obtain goods and services at lower prices.

Ogun State government has taken a giant step in digitizing some of her processes and in order to facilitate ubiquitous and cost effective access to communications infrastructure throughout the country, there is need for a creation of State’s ministry of communication and digital economy. This was emphasized by the Don, Prof. Onashoga, charging the state government to take the lead amongst all.

Onashoga further expressed the necessity buttressing on the advantages of initiation, formulation, executing, monitoring and evaluating policies relating to Science & Information Communication Technology (ICT).

ValidViewNetwork (2022)