News
NCC Highlights Measures to Deepen Internet Connectivity for Businesses, Nigerians
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has explained some of the key measures it is taking to ensure broadband and internet connectivity impact businesses and individual teelcoms users in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Commission has also stated how instrumental the ongoing implementation of the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 and its Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), 2021-2025 can drive development of new technologies and local content in Nigeria.
According to the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM) at NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, who spoke at a breakout session at the recent 2021 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, which took place in Port Harcourt, one of the key policy instruments that guide the development of the sector is the NNBP.
“The Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 has four critical pillars which are: Infrastructure, Policy, Demand Drivers and Funding/Incentives,” he said.
He asserted that the NNBP is unique in many respects. One is the fact that it clearly defines ‘broadband’ for Nigeria as “connectivity delivering a minimum of 10 Mbps in rural areas and a minimum of 25 Mbps in urban areas to every Nigerian at an affordable price and quality.”
On the other hand, he said the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 is a template developed by the NCC to streamline regulatory focus for better efficiency, in alignment with relevant policy instruments.
“For the next five years, the Commission is focusing its energies on five strategic pillars. These are: Organizational renewal for operational efficiency and Regulatory excellence; Provision of infrastructure for a digital economy which fosters national development; Improved Quality of Service (QoS) for enhanced Consumer Quality of Experience (QoE); Promotion of fair competition, inclusive growth, increased investment and innovative services; and Strategic Collaboration and Partnership,” he emphasised.
Adewolu declared that “the impact of connectivity on businesses and the economy, in terms of the impact of internet connectivity on businesses and the national economy is well documented.”
He recalled that 10 per cent increase in mobile broadband penetration results in approximately 0.6 per cent to 2.8 per cent rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Furthermore, he affirmed that everyone is a witness to the revolutionary impact of the internet connectivity for agriculture, health, education, information and communication, as well as entertainment.
This is besides notable revolution in banking and financial services as we can see in the deployment of Automated Teller machines (ATMs) and banking software.
“All industries now rely on internet connectivity provided by our mobile networks to function, such that it is impossible to imagine life without connectivity.
“In concrete terms, the Nigerian telecommunications industry has continued to lead national economic growth,” he said.
According to him, in recent years, the telecoms sector has consistently driven the growth of the Nigerian economy and has provided critical infrastructure powering the digital transformation of practically all spheres of life.
Adewolu said that in the second quarter of 2021, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector sustained its growth trajectory and contributed 17.9 per cent to national GDP. He attributed this to the growth in the telecoms sub-sector.
“This trend demonstrates how much our industry is supporting the achievement of Government’s drive to diversify Nigeria’s economy and to ensure inclusive growth across all other sectors,” he said.
According to the ECSM, in practical terms, it is difficult to imagine how Nigeria and indeed the global economy could have fared without the internet during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He insisted that the fact that the conference was holding in hybrid format was just an indication of the benefits that connectivity, which the Commission is driving, brings.
On local content, Adewolu stated that all the major policy instruments emphasised the need for Nigerians to take bigger roles in the ownership and management of major spheres in the sector.
He also added that Mr. President recently launched the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector, which articulated very clear policy objectives and strategies for increasing local participation.
“It would interest you that the NCC has established a National Office for the Development of Indigenous Content in the Telecommunications Sector (NODITS) to drive the attainment of Policy objectives,” he said.
Adewolu contended that, taken together, the instruments enable NCC to aggressively drive infrastructure development, ensuring that available, accessible and affordable access to broadband infrastructure and services for all Nigerians are safeguarded.
He expressed hope that, by the end of the NNBP’s lifecycle, the country will achieve the target of reaching an effective coverage of, at least, 90 per cent of the population at a price not more than N390 per 1GB of data.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed renowned public health expert, Dr. Aminu Garba Magashi, as Co-Chair of the Kano State Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force in a renewed effort to combat substance abuse and related social vices across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with civil society organisations, public health professionals and other stakeholders in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Governor Yusuf also disclosed plans by the state government to establish a mobile court dedicated to the speedy prosecution of drug-related offences and other social crimes.
He said the initiative is aimed at ensuring swift justice, strengthening law enforcement and serving as a deterrent to offenders.
The governor expressed confidence that Dr. Magashi’s extensive experience in public health policy, social protection and community development would enhance the effectiveness of the task force and support the government’s efforts to build a safer, healthier and drug-free Kano.
Dr. Magashi is the President of the Africa Health Budget Network and a respected civil society advocate with decades of experience in healthcare, public policy and community development.
As part of efforts to strengthen the task force, Governor Yusuf also approved the inclusion of a representative of the Kano State Sharia Commission in its membership to ensure that its activities conform with Islamic guidance.
The state government said the latest measures form part of broader efforts to address drug abuse, improve public safety and protect communities from the social and economic consequences of substance abuse.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called on conventional and social media practitioners to promote factual reporting, patriotism and active citizen participation as part of efforts to deepen democracy and strengthen public trust.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made the call on Monday while declaring open the maiden Arewa Media Summit held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the Kano State Government.
A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted Governor Yusuf as saying that the media must remain committed to truth, bridge generational divides, amplify the voices of the people and encourage responsible civic engagement.
He described the theme of the summit, Government, Citizens’ Accord, Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, as timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, accountability and public confidence through ethical journalism.
According to the governor, responsible journalism and access to credible information are critical to national development and the successful implementation of government policies and reforms.
Governor Yusuf said his administration has continued to support media development by protecting press freedom and creating an enabling environment for journalism to thrive.
He listed the establishment of Northern Nigeria’s first Online Media Chapel, sponsorship of information officers for registration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the registration of journalists with the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB) among the state’s achievements in advancing professional journalism.
The governor also commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for strengthening information management across the country, and praised the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, for promoting professionalism and ethical journalism through the summit.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation said the future of Northern Nigeria depends not only on investments in infrastructure and agriculture but also on credible journalism, responsible communication and effective storytelling.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the summit was organised to promote accuracy, fairness and professionalism in reporting government activities while strengthening the relationship between government, citizens and the media.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Governor Yusuf’s sustained investment in the training and retraining of media practitioners has enhanced journalism practice in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the summit attracted the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, ministers, lawmakers, academics, media professionals and participants from across Northern Nigeria.
News
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has introduced a free emergency medical treatment programme that provides eligible patients with lifesaving care for the first 48 hours at designated hospitals across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the initiative, being implemented through the Kano State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) under the Ministry of Health, is designed to ensure that victims of medical emergencies receive prompt treatment without financial barriers.
According to information released by the state government, the scheme covers children under the age of five, including newborns with emergency conditions, road traffic accident victims, gunshot injuries, snakebite cases, drowning incidents, fire-related injuries, building collapse victims, communal clash casualties and other weapon-related injuries.
The programme also includes obstetric and neonatal emergency referrals from Kano State’s 18 MAMII local government areas through the SaveMAMA referral system.
Under the initiative, emergency treatment is provided free of charge for the first 48 hours at accredited Emergency Medical Treatment Centres (EMTCs) across the state.
The government advised patients or their relatives to contact the KN-SEMSAS Emergency Call Centre before or immediately upon arrival at an accredited hospital to obtain an authorisation code, while stressing that emergency treatment should not be delayed while the code is being processed.
Residents were urged to use the national toll-free emergency line 112 or the state’s dedicated emergency numbers 09019999920 and 09049999914 to request ambulance services and access the programme.
The accredited hospitals participating in the scheme include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH), Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, Waziri Shehu Gidado General Hospital, MDS Hospital, Zak Clinic, MGK Hospital and Khadijat Memorial Hospital.
The state government said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and improve access to lifesaving medical services for residents.
It called on members of the public to take advantage of the programme and share information about the emergency treatment scheme to enable more residents to benefit from the free services.
Gov. Yusuf appoints Dr. Aminu Magashi co-chair of Kano anti-drug abuse task force
Gov. Yusuf tasks media on truthful reporting, patriotism
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
K-SAFE hails Gov. Yusuf as Kano tops ECOWAS education spending ranking
Abdulaziz unveils project inspection initiative, trains APC social media inflluencers at Arewa media summit
Kano ranks best in ECOWAS on education spending index
Kano recruits over 16,000 teachers, begins 10-year education reform plan
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Kano delegation participates in international labour conference in Geneva
