Foreign News
DIGITAL IDENTITY DAY: ABIA GOVT AWARDS PANTAMI ‘BEST PERFORMING DIGITAL MINISTER
By Mubarak Umar
In recognition of his unprecedented performance in Digital Transformation and National Identity programme of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), has been awarded by Abia State Government as the “Best Performing Digital Minister for the Year 2022”.
The Award, which was received on behalf of the Minister by Dr Agu Collins Agu, Director Research and Development, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is to commend him on the good works he has been doing at the Ministry especially in developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy through promoting the use of digital platforms.
The event is part of activities to mark the International Identity Day 2022, organised by Abia State government through the Office of the Special Assistant on National Identity Management Commission Ecosystem and Related Matters, Princess Glad Chidinma-Apugo Osoagbaka.
Prof. Pantami applauded the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for the development of IT infrastructure in the State, and the priority being given to the private sector to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into the activities of different sectors of Abia economy.
He said, “I accept this award and extend my sincere appreciation to Government and People of Abia State and also to fellow Nigerians for this recognition. It is also a great pleasure that I am receiving this award on the day the world commemorates the International Identity Day.
“I commend the team that put this event together. Abia State, Aba in particular, has a reputation of being a thriving commercial and industrial hub for different types of goods and services, and digital identity can greatly enhance commerce and industrialization,” he added.
The Minister recalled that United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide the ambitious target that all people will be able to obtain a legal identity by 2030 (SDG 16.9)., adding that according to a May 2022 report by the UNDP, there is still a huge identity gap with nearly 1 billion people unable to prove who they are.
He added that the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa rightly noted that “Digital Identity and the digital economy are not only linked, but are also, reinforcing, as digital ID is the basis for digital economy platforms. Digital identification can be an important catalyst for various development initiatives in the continent, impacting on trade, governance, social protection, financial inclusion, domestic resource mobilization, as well as security and human rights.”
Prof. Pantami said, digital identity is the fabric of the digital economy and by expanding the digital identity database, Nigeria has positioned itself to reap the benefits of embracing the digital economy in a sustainable way.
According to him, Nigeria recorded significant increase in enrolment records from 41m in August 2020, when NIMC was put under the Ministry’s supervision, to about 89m as at August 2022, 48m additional enrollment in 24 months, a remarkable achievement in National Identification Number (NIN) issuance.
He said, “I had the privilege of speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2022, alongside the WEF Chairman Kalus Schwab and one recurring theme in the different sessions was the importance of the digital economy in every aspect of our lives.
This realisation became more apparent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the same vein, as the Chairman of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2022, I am leading efforts to promote the importance of the digital economy in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
“The Digital Economy has also proven to be a veritable platform for the creation of jobs. For example, in 2017 alone, the digital economy contributed 5.1million jobs to the economy of the United States. An official report in China also noted that digital economy created 191 million jobs in the country in 2018 and this was about 25% of the total employment generated that year.
“In Nigeria, the digital economy has played a key part in developing the different sectors of our digital economy. One key example is how the digital economy helped us to exit recession as a nation. The ICT sector was the fastest growing sector in both the fourth quarter of 2020 and the entire year 2020, based on the Report by the National Bureau of Statistics.
He stressed that the sector’s 14.70% double digit growth rate played a principal role in supporting Nigeria to exit the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic a year faster than experts predicted.
The growth rate of the sector exceeded 4 times the next fastest growing sector of Q4 2020, which had a growth rate of 3.42%. I am also very pleased to let you know that the ICT sector recorded an unprecedented contribution of 18.44% to Nigeria’s GDP in Q2 ‘2022, and this is the highest ever contribution.
“I urge Your Excellency to take advantage of digital ID programmes and solutions to significantly enhance Abia State’s commercial and industrial output,” he concluded.
On his part, the Executive Governor Abia, represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, appreciated the minister for the support he provided to help the state achieved a lot within the short period of time.
He said the Ministry has assisted Abia in the development of data collection, as Data enabled the state necessary information that provide access to the knowledge of number of people irrespective of their gender and age difference.
“When were searching for means to develop various types of data, it was the result of what the ministry was doing that made us keyed into this programme. We know whatever the Ministry was trying to do would be comprehensive.
“I thank the Honourable Minister for the support he is giving to us, and also congratulate him for receiving this deserving award from Abia people,” he added.
Foreign News
NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY
NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson on his induction into the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), describing it as “an honour well- deserved”.
In a statement by Abdur- Rahman Balogun, Director of Media,Public Relations and Protocols, stated that Dr. Elenitoba- Johnson has yet achieved another ground breaking milestone in the Medical world globally.
Dabiri-Erewa described the honour as a demonstration of his outstanding professional achievement and unwavering commitment to service in the medical field.
She applauded his constant research and studies on ways of ameliorating the needs of his patients which has earned him this great honour, the highest honour in the field of health and medicine.
The NiDCOM boss urged Elenitoba- Johnson not to be relentless in the discharge of his duty and to keep making Nigeria proud as hard work pays, an example being the honour he just got.
She also prayed to God for protection and directions as he joins the League of Medical Professionals doing great things globally.
Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson, an international leader in the fields of Hematopathology and Molecular Genomic Pathology as well as a translational researcher also held leadership positions at the University of Utah, University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania.
National Academy of Medicine (NAM) works alongside with the National Academy of sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.
NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their services in National Academies activities.
Foreign News
NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE
NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has congratulated Gbenga Ogunjimi on the honour bestowed on Nigerian Center, a center he established in the District of Columbia.
In a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that October 1st has been declared as Nigerian American Day in Washington, D C .
The declaration was announced by the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Kimberly Bessett on behalf of D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser in celebration of the enormous work the center has provided to immigrants in D.C and uplifting the contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans in the District as well as nationwide Dabiri-Erewa applauded Gbenga on this milestones, describing it as the first of its kind in the District and a great honour to Nigeria.She encouraged him to keep up the good work while urging other Disporans to key into this feat and be the best in whatever they are doing as hard work, determination and dedication leads to greater success.
According to Ogunjimi, the Nigerian Center provides a variety of services like walk-in immigration support,IRS free tax counseling, pathway to Prosperity micri-loan program and Nigerian language training classes in collaboration with African Ancestry inc.
Foreign News
Africa CDC Strengthens Laboratory Capacity for Mpox and Other Outbreaks in Burundi
and referral processes while ensuring biosafety and biosecurity practices. These outcomes are crucial for an effective response to mpox outbreaks and generally contribute to strengthening sample referral and biosafety and biosecurity measures in Burundi.
Africa CDC has also strengthened Burundi’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak by donating critical equipment and materials.
The donation includes an Illumina MiniSeq sequencing system and reagents, a high-performance computer server, mpox qPCR testing kits, and other essential consumables.
In addition, the INSP team has been trained on molecular testing, sequencing, and interpretation of results.
“These resources provided, and skills built, will enhance the country’s molecular testing and sequencing capabilities, enabling accurate and timely detection and characterization of mpox cases and boosting the national testing and pathogen detection capacity,” said Dr. Yenew Kebede.
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