Following the reappointment of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta as the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for another five-year term, the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, has charged the EVC and the entire Management of the Commission to redouble their efforts towards actualising the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government.
The Minister spoke when the Executive Management of the Commission led by Prof. Danbatta paid him a courtesy visit on Monday, June 8th 2020.
According to the Minister, the proactive decision to recommend Danbatta’s reappointment to the President for approval was “to ensure stability in the telecommunications industry and consolidate on the gains and successes already recorded in the industry in the last five years of Danbatta’s leadership as the EVC of NCC.”
In the press release on the 8th June 2020, signed by Dr. Henry Nkemadu Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, the Honourable Minister emphasised the need for Danbatta-led NCC Management to work more harmoniously with the Ministry and Agencies towards ensuring effective implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as well as thorough implementation of the new National Broadband Plan (NBP), 2020-2025.
Speaking further, Dr. Pantami reminded the EVC that the focus of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is currently to boost Nigeria’s digital economy, which, he said, has become even more important following the experience of COVID-19 pandemic that has left many individuals and organisations relying more on digital platforms for work and collaboration. He added that NCC, as the telecoms Regulator, is expected to take the issue of the digital economy very seriously and give it all the attention it deserves.
Speaking earlier, the EVC appreciated the Minister’s role in his reappointment and reiterated his commitment to taking the Commission to greater heights. In his response, he considered his reappointment as the EVC of NCC for another five years, as an honour and a show of the confidence the Hon. Minister and the President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR reposed in the efforts at NCC in the last five years. He additionally assured the Hon. Minister of the commitment of the Commission, to work with the Ministry and other agencies under the Ministry’s supervision towards advancing the frontiers of the digital economy in Nigeria.
Source: NCC