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Nigeria showcases digital social investments at APRA 2024
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Various digital social investments in Nigeria, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) were on showcase at the just-concluded 35th annual conference of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
KANO FOCUS reports that through a presentation by the Head of Media Management Relations at the NCC, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, who later emerged as the Secretary-General of APRA after an election at the event which took place from 13th to 17th May, 2024, participants had a glean into some of the digital social investments and infrastructure expansion happening in Nigeria, through regulatory efficiency of the Commission.
In his presentation with the title: “Digital Inclusion as Arbiter of Accessible PR: A Case of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Ibietan highlighted some 36 initiatives of the Commission within and beyond its immediate regulatory mandate, implemented to promote infrastructure expansion, support SMEs, empower educational institutions, advance innovation and promote digital up-skilling of Nigerian youths.
These include the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI); Campus Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIEP) programme; e-PAD project for 232 institutions; Digital Appreciation Project (DAP) for 247 secondary schools; Digital Literacy Training for Teachers (DLT); Digital Integration Programme (DIP) for MSMEs; and the E-Accessibility programme targeted at persons with disabilities.
Others include the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition; the Build A-Thon, aimed at enabling young persons to pitch and enhance their skills and new learning experience; Tertiary Institutions Digital Centre (TIDC) for 250 institutions; 2,291 Digital Nigeria Centers (DNC) online/offline educational resources; Local Application and Content Deployment programme; and up to 72 Rural Broadband Initiative projects, among others.
According to him, the NCC through its component special purpose vehicle, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has undertaken several digital infrastructure projects, programmes and collaborative activities with stakeholders.
“These interventions have caused a shift in digital literacy, fundamentally shrank the digital divide and opened the floodgates of participation in political, economic and social processes, and enabled accessible digital public relations in Nigeria,” he said.
While over 20 papers were presented at the APRA Conference to expound its thematic focus of “One Africa, One Voice: Bridging Africa’s Communication Divide”, Ibietan’s paper was the only presentation that showcased digital infrastructure investments by any African country, even though many papers advocated the centrality of adequate broadband infrastructure in enhancing digital culture on the continent.
Ibietan emphasised that digital inclusion is the ability of individuals and groups to access and fully participate in the digital society, particularly in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as the internet, computers, and mobile devices.
He submitted that digital inclusion encompasses not only access to digital technologies but also the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to effectively utilize them.
He also emphasised that the phenomenon of digital inclusion is desirable for economies that aspire to grow and develop in remarkable and measurable sense.
He said: “This is because digital inclusion promotes social and economic opportunities, enhances civic engagement and participation, supports education and lifelong learning, fosters digital literacy and skills development, encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and helps to bridge the digital divide and reduce inequalities.”
He referenced that the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallouts proved the significance of digital infrastructure to the economy.
Luckily, he said: “Nigeria’s investment in broadband infrastructure partly explained why the nation was able to cope with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus because availability of digital infrastructure helped individuals, businesses and the government to migrate their social and economic activities to digital platforms in order to mitigate the devastating effect of the Pandemic.”
He recommended constant and seamless communication among stakeholders to ensure efficiency in the management and proper harvest of derivable benefits social investment and infrastructural projects.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has appointed its Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, as the new President of the Council following the death of its former leader, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement was made in a statement released by the Council’s Secretary General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, who described Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s passing on Monday as a profound loss to the Council and the broader Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
Offering prayers for the late cleric, the Council noted that Dr Bashir’s appointment was made in line with the organisation’s constitution and established procedures.
“The Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, OON, has been unanimously confirmed as the new President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We express our full confidence in Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Shari’ah and justice.”
The Council added that a new Vice President will be announced in due course and called for continued prayers and support from the Muslim community as it pursues its mission to uphold Islamic principles across the country.
Dr Bashir is widely respected in the fields of Islamic studies and Islamic finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Hadith and Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Madinah and has served on several key national and international Shari’ah and Islamic banking committees, including the Shari’ah Advisory Committee of Stanbic IBTC Bank and the Council of Experts on Islamic Banking under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Headlines
Emir Sanusi Calls for Reinstatement of National Amirul Hajj to Strengthen Pilgrimage Leadership
The Emir of Kano, His Highness Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has called on the Federal Government to reinstate the position of a National Amirul Hajj, a revered tradition that once provided strong leadership and coordination for Nigerian pilgrims during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement signed by the Kano Pligrims spokesperson Sulaiman Dederi the Emir made the appeal Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board at his palace.
He emphasized the historic and spiritual importance of appointing a National Amirul Hajj, describing the role as deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and dating back to the era of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who advocated for the appointment of leaders to guide pilgrims on their sacred journey.
“This is a time-honored Islamic practice that ensures order, discipline, and effective representation of our nation during the Hajj exercise,” the Emir stated. “Reviving this position is not just symbolic—it is necessary for the spiritual, administrative, and diplomatic success of our pilgrimage missions.”
The Emir further stressed that the consistent appointment of a National Amirul Hajj would enhance Nigeria’s coordination during Hajj operations and ensure the welfare of pilgrims across all states.
Earlier, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, informed the Emir that the Board was at the palace to formally invite him to attend the final Hajj demonstration scheduled at the Hajj Camp in Kano.
He disclosed that all preparations had been finalized for the airlift of pilgrims from the state, which is set to begin on May 13, 2025.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alhaji Yusif Lawan, commended the Emir for his consistent support and advocacy for the welfare of pilgrims.
He joined the call for the Federal Government to prioritize the reappointment of a National Amirul Hajj, saying it would further solidify Nigeria’s image and leadership among the global Muslim community.
The visit reflects a growing call among Hajj stakeholders for stronger central coordination of the pilgrimage, especially as thousands of Nigerian Muslims prepare for this year’s journey to the Holy Land.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has heartily congratulated Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo on his emergence as the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
Governor Yusuf described Dangambo’s election as a significant step towards strengthening professionalism and ethical journalism in the digital media space.
He commended the leadership of the NUJ Kano Council under the able leadership of Comrade Sulieman Dederi for the successful establishment of the Online Media Chapel, which he said will complement the efforts of traditional media in promoting truth, fairness, and integrity.
The Governor expressed confidence that under Dangambo’s leadership, the Online Media Chapel would set a new standard for responsible and development-driven journalism in Kano State and beyond.
He assured of his administration’s continued support for initiatives that promote credible information dissemination, media development, and the unity of practitioners.
Governor Yusuf wished Comrade Dangambo and the entire executive council a successful and impactful tenure, urging them to work diligently in fostering professionalism, building capacity, and enhancing the role of online journalism in the state’s growth and progress.
Supreme Council for Shari’ah appoints Bashir Aliyu Umar as new president
Emir Sanusi Calls for Reinstatement of National Amirul Hajj to Strengthen Pilgrimage Leadership
Gov. Yusuf Praises NUJ’s New Digital Frontier, Celebrates Dangambo’s Innaguration
Kano judicial commission suspends 2 court registrars, warns 2 judges
