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Pantami applauds NCC’s role in telecoms regulatory standards
Nasiru Yusuf
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for spearheading regional and global initiatives on telecoms networks standardisation within the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) community.
Dr Pantami gave the commendation while delivering his welcome address at 7th Study Group 13 (SG 13), ongoing Regional Workshop for Africa being hosted by the NCC at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
While addressing participants drawn from Nigeria and other African countries as well as officials of the ITU at the event, the minister said the NCC’s role in being at the forefront of driving digital revolution for Nigeria is well noted.
According to him, “I want to appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for representing the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE) to coordinate these activities of the SG 13 of ITU in Nigeria.
“The effort is highly commendable. With all sense of responsibility as the Minister of FMoCDE, I commend your consistency in handling the activities of ITU and other study groups of the FMoCDE. Your efforts are most appreciated”.
Commenting on the theme of the event, Dr Pantami said standards are critical to the inter-operability of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
He said the workshop is taking place at a time the Nigerian government, through the ministry, is making effort to reposition its focus and strategies on how to use new and emerging digital technologies to transform the socio-economic life and activities of the country.
Dr Pantami emphasised the need for Africa to position itself properly in order to be upbeat on the organising principles of developing appropriate standards for the future and next generation digital networks that support a digital economy ecosystem.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Prof. Umar Dambatta, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, stated that discussions and solutions for future networks such as cloud computing, software defined networks and smart cities, cannot be understated.
“To achieve a resilient and robust future network, standards must be developed to accommodate the evolution of new and emerging technologies. The new frontier comes with great value and potentials for humanity and so, Nigeria and indeed, Africa cannot afford to be left behind,” Dambata explained.
Prof. Dambatta, while tasking participants to come up with far-reaching resolutions, said such “resolutions will hopefully play a pivotal role at the World Telecommunications Standardization Assembly (WTSA) coming up later in the year”.
He affirmed that all these developments will also play significant roles in achieving the new mandate for the digital economy.
The NCC Executive Vice Chairman therefore charged participants to drive collective interest and let such collective interest be their focal point of discussion, “so that we can have networks that can handle the peculiarities of our environment, as we drive towards development and integration of new and emerging technologies on our dear continent”.
On his part, the Chairman, ITU SG 13, Simeon Bagudu, said the Group was established in 2008 to mobilise effective participation of Africa in the area of ICT standardisation.
He enthused that the participation of Nigeria in the regional Group and in other ITU events and programmes has been ‘very remarkable.’
The ITU operates through its three sectors namely the Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R), Standardisation Sector (ITU-T), and Development Sector (ITU-D).
The Standardisation Sector through its study groups and World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) uses experts from around the world to prepare, deliberate and develop international standards known as ITU-Recommendations, which act as defining elements in the global infrastructure of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The work of Africa Regional Groups in each of the Study Groups of ITU-T, such as the SG 13, comes under the ITU-T Sector. The SG 13 was established in 2008 to bridge the standardisation gap among African countries.
The four-day programme, focused on the theme: ‘Standardisation of Future Networks Towards Building a Better Connected Africa’, has a dual structure: a workshop by the SG 13 for Africa which commenced from 2-4, February 2020; and another special meeting by the Group scheduled for 5-6, February, 2020.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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