The National Information Technology Development Agency has sensitised stakeholders on harnessing the benefits of Information and Communications Technology in combating a myriad of challenges.
According to the North-East Zonal Coordinator of NITDA, Engr. Muhammad Saliu, the organisation embarked on the stakeholders’ engagement to achieve its objectives.
Saliu made this disclosure on Tuesday in an interview with journalists, at a stakeholders engagement programme in Gombe.
He said, “We considered this because NITDA is doing a lot at the national level and a lot is not known at the grassroots level; bringing it to the state is to localise it across local governments.
“We invited all heads of ICT across state ministries and Local Government Areas. What we hope to achieve is digital inclusion. Everyone needs to come on board to ensure that the digitalisation process is achieved in the country. So, without going to the grassroots we may not be able to achieve this message.”
Commenting on the need to harness the potentials of technology in mitigating insecurity in the region, Saliu explained that as the reason NITDA invited representatives of security agencies.
“ICT is an enabler, an enabling tool that allows work to be achieved within the shortest possible time. Whatever sphere you are when military, paramilitary, ICT is an avenue to get results,” he stated.
On his part, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, who addressed the audience virtually, urged the stakeholders to intensify collaboration.
He said, “In keeping with our value of innovativeness, we have constantly rethought our ideas, systems, and processes, and have been wary of providing old answers to new problems.”
Represented by Usman Abdullahi, the NITDA boss added, “We, therefore, view this meeting as a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experience and expertise, and to co-create solutions, articulate strategies and extend our services to all stakeholders especially at the grassroots.”
Also speaking, Commissioner for Science Technology and Innovation, Dr Aishatu Maigari, noted that the digitalisation process in the state has been consistent, adding that it has been slow.
Maigari said, “We have implemented some of the ICT policies in the state, in terms of digitalisation of Gombe State; it is slow, but slow and steady wins the race. We are now working on the gaps we have identified, the first we did was a needs assessment for the MDA’s, we are almost there.”
She revealed that the government would collaborate with NITDA in achieving digital inclusion in the state.
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