I was almost six years old on planet Earth when my defeated grandfather gave me a lecture on the virtues of non-public conviction, whose words, more than 4 decades past, continued to resonate in my subconscious. He said, among other things, that when I am older, I deserve to give wonderful importance to others who have the courage of their conviction; others who will never be limited to the crowd and others that that leadership is a serious company with great responsibilities. I grew up opposing the leaders who play in the gallery, and I don’t care when the unrest I’m in is opposed through the crowd. I fell in love with Governor Dave Umahi because he possesses those qualities and many others.
Three years ago, I challenged everyone who opposed me to compete for the highest position of Vice President of the Nigerian Publishers Guild. The powers deployed against me were enormous, and many key leaders of my crusade team were so involved that they thought we negotiated a comfortable landing to avoid a seemingly humiliating defeat. But I convinced them otherwise. The election took up and I won by historical vote.
In the case of Dave Umahi, the governor of the state of Ebonyi, as early as 2015, did not hide his sense that in order for the Igbos not to lose absolutely loses in Nigeria’s political configuration, they would have to enlarge their tentacles and enlarge a hand of camaraderie to all other parts of Nigeria, especially those who rule us in the center. Clearly, he also personally believes in President Muhammadu Buhari and, from time to time, the decisive intervention of the governor has played a very important role in stabilizing a country burdened by the unrest.
Umahi was there last week when he chose to stand out from the crowd. He questioned why all army officers deserve to be branch heads and asked the president not to make the mistake of turning the existing organization of senior officials occupying the various Nigerian army facilities, given the key roles they played in securing the country. it is still governed not through Boko Haram, a terrorist organization that was about to take control of many northern states, but through universal suffrage. Umahi chose to be different, not only for fun, but because he believes that’s what the country wants. He knows that most calls are sponsored through Boko Haram’s media and sponsors arm, as well as through disgruntled staff whose schedule does not coincide with the country’s.
As a member of the opposition, Umahi knows the main points of the few elements of the opposition that sponsor all kinds of activities to distract and discredit the government in the center. The governor of Ebonyi knows that what Nigeria needs, especially with Covid-19 that continues to ravage the economies of every country in the world, is a unified front for the presidency to do well. The losers, the governor once said, are the Nigerians, all of us, if those who rule us lose focus and, in doing so, throw us all into a moat.
It’s hard to track down a politician who would defy all odds, as Umahi does, swimming against the tide even though he knew he had a primary re-election war ahead of him. Apart from the company’s conviction that others will never abandon him, having experienced those infrequent qualities that he skillfully possesses in branches, the governor of the state of Ebonyi is obviously not desperate for power. In this country, we have noticed all kinds of politicians, from those who interact in unpleasant activities or play in the gallery only to make sure they are re-elected, and those whose true character does not manifest until after a moment. Term. Then he sees them as the real monsters they are.
Courtesy of Governor Dave Umahi, the southeast has benefited from several federal projects and relations between this component of the country and the other components have deepened. It is through this friendship that many in the North now have each and every explanation of why we help our brothers and sisters in the East and make sure they assume the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
At one point, many think the governor is preparing the floor to abandon the PDP and move on to the ruling CPA. But it showed that everyone who has such a misconception. He remained at PDP and also contested a temporary term under the Umbrella platform, which he won outright.
Among those who praise Governor Umahi and extol his virtues in the wonderful skies are key members of the state’s opposition political party, APC leaders such as renowned leader Chuka Nweze, former executive chairman of the local government region of Ohaozara in Ebonyi state, and pioneer of APC secretary. in the state. In an interview conducted through Uchenna Inya, Chief Chuka insisted that Governor Umahi has far exceeded his expectations.
When asked how he saw the state of Ebonyi under Gov. Dave Umahi, Chief Chuka replied, “I’m going to describe what’s going on in Ebonyi now as magical. I say bravely that I am not a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). to which Umahi belongs, has remodeled the state even beyond the expectations of others like us in the opposition. So I urge Nigerians to appreciate inventive leaders who provide democratic dividends to others despite party affiliations, as Umahi did.
Surprised, the interviewer wondered why he, a member of an opposition party said this, Chief Chuka said he was “particularly inspired by the point of progression of infrastructure in the low state. I fought with me to express those emotions as a member of the APC Opposition and a staunch critic of Umahi, but I’m a guy who follows the precepts of myArray. I was surprised by the point of progression of the infrastructure observed in the state during my recent scale after a “long absence” when my eyes saw what I had. I never imagined to see.
“I never imagined seeing more than 4 world-class, overpasses completed on the state’s main highway, the Abakaliki-Enugu Trans-Saharan highway and others that are about to end on the same route.
They are types of overpasses with complete lighting systems that are noticed anywhere in the country.
The most disconcerting thing is that it is transparent to everyone that Ebonyi is one of the states that collects the lowest allocation from the federal government, so one wonders where the governor gets the cash from. This shows a judicious and prudent control of scarce resources. »
The leader replied, when asked if he thought Ebonyi was a style among the states of the country, that “this is the apparent fact that can be said. I didn’t use the headlights of my vehicle when I visited Abakaliki at night because virtually every single leader had functional street lighting. I do not know anywhere in Nigeria where the maximum of each and every road in the capital, usually concrete, has been rebuilt. The unexpected maxim is the successful relocation of investors from The main place of the Abakpa market in Abakaliki to the place of the foreign market “newlook” Walked past the site of the old market site and there was not a single pin on the way because all human, vehicular and other obstructions were cleared.
“It seemed that in the past, however, this governor made it possible. I have been concerned about Ebonyi’s policy since its inception in 1996 and I know that past administrations have tried to carry out such relocation, but without success. I also visited the new construction of the government space and I just described it as monumental I think those projects were born of the preference to leave a legacy to the people, because the governor may not enjoy it long before he left office.
Are these projects limited to Abakaliki only? The leader responded that he had “visited other towns and local governments in the state and had also noticed wonders.” Afikpo, the most evolved city in the state at the moment, for example, has become a mini capital with concrete roads everywhere.
“The dualization of the Abakaliki-Afikpo Federal Highway from there has begun and one wonders how the structure has meandered through the complex terrain of the hills and valleys of the region to succeed in the magnitude of the paintings that are being recorded lately. I’m not too surprised because the governor is a training engineer, Onueke, who is prominent in development, has also been redesigned with concrete roads, well-equipped drains and street lighting.
“The School of Nurses and Midwives and the State Medical School under structure in the region have helped the region become what we natives never imagined.”
Like Governor Umahi, Chief Chuka doesn’t deserve the party’s association to save him from telling the truth. That’s the way forward so we can get it right as a nation.
“I fought with me to say those things, but as a user who believes in the truth, I still don’t have any choice to tell them,” the leader added, further explaining that “all I’ve said is the truth, just move on to Ebonyi and you’ll see them. It doesn’t matter if you’re PDP, APC or APGA and others before you like or enjoy them. They’re there and no feeling can erode them. These are not projects built on the pages of newspapers or television, radio and social networks. Then the most productive option is to enjoy them. God even suggested that we appreciate and help intelligent things at all times.
“My assessment can simply ‘damage’ the APC in the state, however, it is time for Nigeria to be stored with leaders and leaders, telling the fact despite party affiliations. One of the country’s main unrest is the “political bias”, a scenario in which political parties and their members see nothing clever in a government they do not control. So it’s time for Nigerians to realize that, despite the ruling party, it’s the other people who matter and one day the leaders would come to them and report on their management.
“The other Ebonyi gain enormous advantages from these projects and I am in opposition, I am in favor of progress, regardless of the party to which this harsh government belongs.
This column congratulates the brave others of the state of Ebonyi for continuing this rare gem, a true leader in each and every sense of the word. Umahi is definitely a national leader worthy of being monitored.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which runs through Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, is one of the leading federal agencies that have continued to discover that there is still a soft one at the end of a dark tunnel. From the moment Buhari’s management appointed Dr. Isa Ali Pantami until last year when he promoted, in popularity for his unprecedented achievements as Director General of NITDA and the appointment of Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi as his successor, this has been one achievement or another. . for this agency, which is essential to ensure that Nigeria benefits from the $1 trillion global virtual economy market.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria five months ago, NITDA has proposed new interventions to keep the Nigerian economy as physically powerful as possible.
The Director General, who also serves as Director General of the main agency, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, reviewed his agency’s activities as the COVID-19 global pandemic affects several economies, Nigeria.
In a recent interview, the Ceo revealed that “NITDA has introduced several projects to ensure that this generation continues to allow business continuity.” This column will reproduce some of the highlights raised through the DG, so that more and more Nigerians can see where they can enter existing and long-term projects, including, but not limited to:
Tech4COVID19 Initiative – This initiative aims to measure the effect of COVID-19 on the generation ecosystem and propose responses especially for startups. The Committee has developed a strategic plan to ensure that NITDA maintains approximately 100,000 ICT jobs and creates another 30,000 jobs in the post-COVID-19 era.
Virtual Start-Up Clinic: Start-ups gathered, usually young, to meet mentors, successful entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, business experts and pole operators to solve the disorders and demanding situations they faced. Two virtual start-up clinics were established within one month.
3. Nigeria COVID-19 Innovation Challenge: An online innovation challenge has been organized to address the demanding situations facing our society in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Five startups were decided with very avant-garde concepts for the final challenge and three of them were decided for further incubation. Support from N1,000,000, N750,000 and N500,000 won up to the first, second and third winners respectively.
4. NITDA Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Program: this is a program for new companies and clusters across the country. With more than 120 hubs in Nigeria, NITDA is finalizing plans to make some immediate reaction for hubs and startups based on their skills and determined conscientiously on criteria.
5. INTELLIGENT AGRIPICAL Project, in which farmers are committed to focusing on the use of precision/smart agriculture to achieve a significant improvement in crop yield, quality, potency and productivity of agricultural products; increased profit margin, crop forecasts, sale of agricultural products and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. During this pandemic, we involve 130 farmers in this project.
6. NITDA Academy: a virtual learning platform where thousands of young Nigerians can access a wide variety of online courses and educational tools.
While it sees control of the pandemic as a challenge, this has been a turning point in the virtual generation revolution to supply products and facilities around the world, what we call the new standard. As a result, NITDA has not missed the opportunity to prepare for the effect of the pandemic and also to provide good enough help to isolate the ecosystem from generation and innovation.
Speaking about the instance of his one-year term in August 2020, the CEO of NITDA said: “I’ll have to say it was a trip. It’s nothing I expected or even imagined. It was actually a pleasant surprise. However, this shows the confidence that my boss and mentor, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has in my ability, to the point of recommending President Muhammadu Buhari, to take a giant step in his own skin. It is a great honor, and I am making My most productive is not to disappoint the expectations of my boss and mentor, Mr. President, the young Nigerians and the country as a whole.
In his evaluation of the activities, he noted that “As you probably know, I am not new to Nigeria’s computer industry. I’m at home at the front of business in NITDA. As a user open to new approaches and strategies, with the reports I have obtained over the more than 15 years in the IT sector covering the public and use sectors and, through ongoing studies, my team and I have worked diligently for the continuity of the IT sector in Nigeria over the more than 10 months. Remember, I took him to a smart position to consolidate it, given the foundations laid down through my boss and mentor, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Inuwa Abdullahi, which details the main mandates of the Federal Agency to comply with, recalled that “NITDA is implementing a strategic roadmap for the progression of the information technology sector in Nigeria. It is composed of seven pillars aligned with the 8 pillars of the national virtual economy political and strategy. The seven key pillars of our roadmap are IT regulation, capacity building, virtual inclusion, virtual task creation, the promotion of government virtual services, local content progression, and cybersecurity. We have a number of policies, regulations and systems in position than in those areas. The NITDA has already begun to revise and expand the next plan, which will be presented soon. It is consistent with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) and other vital plans and policies of that administration.
With regard to the handling of industry disputes, i.e. those similar to those of OEMs, Inuwa Abdullahi revealed that NITDA has proven wonderful and has secured wonderful sponsorship from local OEMs for more than 3 years.
It is a fact that the acquisition of local devices through MDA is unprecedented in those years compared to the years prior to 2018. For example, in 2015-16, fewer than 250,000 devices were sold through local OEMs. However, due to NITDA’s intervention, records show that in 2018/2019, OEMs sold 3 times more than the number sold before 2017 with approximately 778886 assembled aircraft sold in 2018 and 2019.
However, it admitted that “the implementation of Presidential Decree 003 for the promotion of local content at the MDA source raises some demanding situations and NITDA has published rules for the progression of Nigerian content in ICT, which also require MDA to purchase Nigerian Curtains Array NITDA vigorously implements the Executive Order and Guidelines through active monitoring and a procedure for comparing and approving the Agency’s IT projects. However, the Law on Government Procurement requires OEMs to submit tenders directly or to have the tables tender with other contractors with transparency and price If the MDAs violate the procedure, then NITDA can be notified for action.
There is also a challenge with the quality of some of the local brands. In an effort to meet this challenge, in 2018, NITDA ordered those OEMs to go through a ripassrous certification procedure that requires them to have ISO 9001:2015 for quality control systems. We believe this will allow them to supply products that meet regulatory and quality requirements. Currently, only 3 of the 10 OEMs registered in the past have been fully certified.
Commenting on nigeria’s planned IT policy review, DG NITDA said: “You may be interested to know that our Ministry of Guardianship, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, deals with policy issues. You may be aware that there were several attempts to revise the policy in 2012, 2013 and 2017.
“Currently, with my boss and mentor, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) as Honorable Minister, efforts have resulted in the progression of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), revealed through President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the International Conference, Exhibition and Award 2019, held on November 28, 2019. NDEPS replaces national IT policy well.
When asked what lines he would like to be remembered in the pc area of Nigeria, Inuwa Abdullahi passionately recalled that “Nigeria is my home country and my vision for NITDA and the pc area is to leave a legacy; to leave an unprecedented record of achievements that will continue with the expansion and progress of the ICT sector, making a significant contribution to Nigerians’ lives.”
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has been told about his agency’s activities and revealed that he had revived Nigeria’s virtual economy projects even before the federal government followed them.
Explaining more in a recent interview, he said: “You may need to know that even before the federal Ministry of Communications is reapmenioned, to come with the virtual economy, NITDA has completed a wonderful deal in this regard, through the implementation of a Roadmap for the Progression of Nigeria’s IT Sector, which consists of 7 pillars aligned with the 8 pillars of virtual economy policy and strategy IT policy. Nigeria. For example, as a component of the promotion of a virtual Nigeria, NITDA from August 2019 to date has introduced and is implementing the following regulatory instruments:
The interoperability framework of Nigeria’s e-government (Ne-GIF);
Cloud Computing Policy in Nigeria (NCCP);
Vision of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in ICT of Nigeria (NIIEV);
Framework and rules for the adoption of ICTs in higher education institutions;
Guidelines for content in Nigeria ICT as amended; And
Data coverage implementation framework.
In addition, we have IT allocation interventions that we have carried out across the country during the following year: 80 Digital Capacity Training Centers (DCTC) with online learning facilities, 6 PC centers, 6 networked PC centers, four PC incubation and innovation parks, and 3 IT capacity education centers : all with the aim of reducing the virtual gap and providing access to the under-neglected and under-neglected population.
On what NITDA has put in position to create a living environment and for the startup ecosystem, as Nigeria is one of the first 3 countries in Africa to attract the largest venture capital investment among its successful startups and generation centers, the CEO said. that “Nigeria is in fact one of the 3 most sensitive countries in Africa. Array attracts the largest investment by venture capitalists for its successful start-ups and generation centers. Interestingly, Nigeria ranked first with a total investment of US$747 million, followed by through Kenya with a total investment of US$564 million and Egypt, which attracted a global investment of US$211 million. In an effort to consolidate these efforts, we have a number of projects aimed at providing a living environment and building up ecosystem. These include:
The NITDA Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Program, aimed at homeowners from start-up centers and other talented young people who develop their skills in high-demand skills;
Policies such as tax incentives for start-ups, investor incentives and a market for the adoption of innovations;
Create an innovation and a fund to further catalyze the expansion of new companies;
Develop an innovation portal for ecosystem activities;
FinTech software, already exported;
The government’s innovation fund will threaten and attract FDI; And
The Tech4COVID19 Initiative was established to measure the effect of COVID-19 on the generation ecosystem and to propose responses especially for startups. The committee has developed a strategic plan to ensure that we retain approximately 100,000 ICT jobs and create another 30,000 jobs in the post-COVID-19 era. Since then, we have initiated the implementation of these recommendations.
With regard to his expectations for Nigeria’s software exports and the long-term currency, NITDA’s head made clear that “Nigeria has come a long way, from a net software importer to a software skills development center. The development of Africa. This is dazzling because of the price of investments entering Nigeria’s startup ecosystem due to the good luck of mainly software programs developed through incredibly intelligent Nigerians.
“This translates into expansion and capacity in the country’s generation centers, basically around Lagos and Abuja. In addition, many software corporations produce software for banking, commercial and government processes in Nigeria. This is a testament to the ingenuity of Nigerians who expand the software to meet almost enough local needs. However, we will have to try to become networked software exporters through our style to produce more software engineers and locate markets suitable for those talents.
“One way is to prepare to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (FTACAf), which provides Opportunities for Africa to inter-African industry in general and industry in facilities in particular. Nigerian software will gain huge advantages from an exchange facility environment. This is important, given that we already have all the mandatory ingredients to succeed. There is also a desire to continue to inspire software developers to cut taxes, subsidize skill progression, and create a group of jobs that can be presented locally.
“This will lead to the progression of patented responses that can be standardized and sold to other countries in Africa or the rest of the world for vital currencies. Our initiative – the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Program is one of the projects we have for skills progress. In addition, we are in talks with Microsoft Corporation on the Global Skilling Initiative (GSI). It is an initiative to help 25 million people worldwide who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to train in the technical and technological work in call in the virtual economy.
I’m almost six years old on planet Earth when my defeated grandfather gave me a lecture on Array.
The Nigerian Diary
© 2019 The Sun Nigeria – Managed through Netsera.