A compendium of landmark speeches and presentations by Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is ready for a historic launch.
The epoch-making launch scheduled to hold at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, September 7, 2021, by 10:00 a.m. prompt, in Mbora, Abuja, FCT, will also feature the unveiling of two other strategic initiatives of the Commission.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued Monday, August 30, in Abuja, FCT, said the book entitled: “Catalysing Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Transformation through Broadband Infrastructure”, is a compilation of carefully-selected, seminal speeches and presentations of Prof. Danbatta.
The NCC Director of Public Affairs disclosed the publication touches on all strategic areas of Nigeria’s telecoms industry development, and the entire digital economy ecosystem, since his assumption of office as the EVC/CEO of NCC August 2015.
The statement noted that Danbatta, “a Professor of telecommunications engineering, accomplished academic, and seasoned administrator has made extensive speeches and presentations on a wide range of subjects in telecoms and ICT at important national, regional and international events since leaving the ivory tower to become the EVC of NCC in 2015.
“His landmark speeches and presentations from 2015 till date have thus, been codified in a concise collection, as a compendium, providing useful information that will significantly add value to the existing body of knowledge in the telecoms sector, and by extension, the entire Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry.”
Adinde also said the foreword to the book has been painstakingly written by late Alhaji Ahmed Joda, former Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC.
The book will serve as a useful reference material not only for existing and prospective investors in the sector but also for researchers in the academia as well as policy analysts and others interested in any aspects of the telecoms industry and regulations, stated he.
According to NCC, the book which also chronicles important milestones attained by the Commission under Danbatta’s leadership, is a compelling read.
Other strategic projects slated for unveiling
The statement also said the two other strategic projects the Commission plans to unveil alongside the compendium are the NCC’s new five-year Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 and the telecoms regulator’s new social media channel, the NCC’s Global Connect Podcast.
Dr. Adinde further said: “The new SVP will enable cross-functional infrastructure, ubiquitous services and deepen consumer engagement to consolidate the growth of the telecoms sector and expand the possibilities of the digital economy.
“The need to develop another SVP, as a five-year implementation roadmap for the Commission, followed the expiration, in 2020, of the first SVP unveiled by Danbatta in 2016.”
According to him, it has been widely acknowledged that the diligent execution of the first SVP initiative, under Prof. Danbatta, has helped to consistently lift broadband penetration, increase telephone access, boost the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), enhance healthy competition in the industry, improve quality of service (QoS), as well as put the sector’s overall investment profile on an impressive growth trajectory, among others.
He explained the ‘NCC Global Connect’ podcast is the third initiative enlisted for unveiling during the launch.
Adinde stated: “The latest addition to the NCC social media spectrum will help in enhancing the Commission’s corporate communication activities within the online space.
“The podcast initiative was conceived in keeping with NCC’s core values of innovation and excellence.
“It adds to the existing media channels, providing an inclusive medium to broaden our media platforms to educate external stakeholders on its regulatory activities irrespective of their circumstances, through audio contents.”
The statement added that Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, will be the Special Guest of Honour on the occasion.
Senior government officials, industry leaders and stakeholders as well as dignitaries from across Nigeria are also billed to attend the landmark event next Tuesday in Abuja.
