Following the growing adoption of online culture and the spread of World Wide Web (www) support networks in Africa, individuals, groups and corporate users of the internet including government, have been urged to take up the task of promoting the irreversible good culture, peoples’ integrity and the impeachable responsiveness of the continent’s sovereignty.
This, government telecommunication’s regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) has advised as African countries are confronted with myriad of imperial cultural illusions, delusions and hallucinations, identified as the major sources of Africa’s contemporary development crises, at the Quarterly Public Lecture Of The National Institute For Cultural Orientation (NICO), held recently in Abuja; Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who spoke at the public lecture reckoned that in Nigeria the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and telecommunications network have positively impacted peoples’ way of life stating that with ICT innovation culture, integrity and good people in the continent could be preserved and protected against hallucinations and misrepresentations even outside the the cyberspace.
He explained that if the use of Information Communication Technology has improved the way people socialise, carry out businesses, engage in learning and participate in other life endeavours in unprecedented ways, promoting and showcasing the continent’s value against delusion and cultural illusions should be an irrevocable task for all.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mrs. Grace Ojougboh , Danbata noted that in recent times, Nigeria has put greater emphasis on digital economy, through her National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2010-2030,
Noting that, indeed, the world is witnessing greater advancement in ICT with next-gen technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Fifth Generation Network (5G), Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Realities (VR), Blockchain and Big data, among others.
According to the NCC Boss, though technology and innovation are fast evolving to redefine sociocultural orientation in the 4th Industrial Revolution of the 21st Century, however the changes are transcending with online incursion.
He urged every individuals, corporate and government agencies to comply with the ratified Code of Ethics Online stating that protecting the good image of the continent in the online space starts from there.
He said in Nigeria his commission came up with policy and regulatory frame works which have been enacted by law towards achieving a Nigeria online identity with great taste for integrity, morals, values, civility and cultural responsiveness.
“As the independent national regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, the NCC has, over the years, been creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country for rapid and orderly socio-economic development.
“The Commission drives broadband penetration and access to next-gen technologies that impact life.
“In addition, it advocates responsible use of the technologies, especially the Internet in a way that helps to address our socio-economic, cultural and national security challenges.
“Aside driving ubiquitous access to telecoms services, NCC takes it upon itself to constantly educate consumers of telecoms services on responsible use of our ICT resources for promoting development and engendering national unity.
“This resonates with the Institute’s primary responsibility of harnessing our cultural resources to meet the challenges of social integration, peace, unity and national development. The NCC recognizes the power of telecommunications in leapfrogging our national development in these important respects. This is the reason the Commission accords priority to strategic objectives in its regulatory mandate.
“In line with the above , NCC ensures proper registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards while also ensuring the ongoing implementation of the Ministerial Directive on the linkage of SIM and National Identity Number (NIN) data in order to ensure credible citizens’ database.
“This, the Federal Government believes will enhance efforts at curbing criminal activities such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping while boosting confidence in economic transactions,” he said.
Suffice to note that during the lockdowns and other disruptions occasioned by COVID-19, Nigeria witnessed potential positive impact of telecommunications and ICTs across all the key sectors of the nation’s economy.
According to the Federal National Bureau of Statistics, telecoms sectors’ positive contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Quarter 4 of 2020 is one of the reasons Nigeria was able to marginally exit from recession.
“What is now left for us, therefore, as a country, is to ensure we leverage technology functionally to promote our economy and address other critical development challenges.
“It is on this note that I wish to reiterate the commitment of the Board and Management of NCC in ensuring Strategic Collaboration and Partnership with relevant agencies and stakeholders for a sustainable national development that guarantees economic prosperity for all citizens while preserving our fundamental social and cultural values,” he added.
Some of Nigeria’s government personalities and public office holders present at the lecture include but not limited to: Chairman of the Occasion,
Distinguished Senator, Owelle, Rochas Anayo Okorocha, Hon. Minister of Information and Culture; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Executive Secretary/CEO of NICO; Mallam Ado Yahuza, and the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Sule Bello of History Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
