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ITU Ranks Nigeria High in Digital Transformation Readiness
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A new report of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has ranked Nigeria very high at 71 per cent, in comparative legal, policy and governance frameworks towards G5 – advanced state of readiness for digital transformation known as G5 with Germany, Finland and Singapore leading the global chart.
KANO FOCUS reports that in the report conducted by the ITU, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and unveiled by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in Abuja on Monday, Nigeria was ranked among Africa’s top seven BEMECS 5G Readiness Index, which represents the country’s readiness to deploy and adopt mass-market 5G networks.
Titled, Collaborative Regulation: Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Transformation, and presented at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja by ITU’s Kagwira Nkonge, the report, among other things, presented a case study for ‘collaborative regulation review to assess and support Nigeria’s transition towards collaborative digital governance, evidence-based policy making and agile regulation in the digital economy”.
The report, which was presented to a cross section of key industry stakeholders including service providers, government agencies, representatives of multilateral institutions, West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU), among others, was also designed to complement existing cross-country benchmarks in which features of countries policy and regulatory environment are assessed.
The features of countries policy and regulatory environment are assessed according to the pillars of the Generations of Regulation frameworks which tracks telecom regulatory maturity towards digital transformation readiness, designated at G5 Advanced State of Readiness”, and for which Nigeria currently stands at G4.
Advanced State of Readiness is benchmarked against four critical levels of accomplishments which include national collaborative governance, policy design principles, digital development toolbox, digital economic policy agenda, with Nigeria scoring 91 per cent in regulatory capacity; 82 per cent in Market Rules; 81 per cent in Collaborative Governance; 76 per cent in Legal Instruments for ICT/Telecom markets; 69 per cent in National Digital Agenda Policy, among other benchmarks.
Dr. Tijani, in his remarks at the event, commended the ITU and partner agencies and consultants that actualised the report; and expressed Federal Government’s commitment “to utilise this report as a navigational aid towards attainment of our regulatory objectives and policies outlines towards achieving a robust digital economy”.
“That is what we will continue to do as a government, ensuring that we can put ourselves in a place to have cutting-edge modern regulations in place to ensure that business is done properly in our sector and to ensure that, where possible, increase the local content of the sector as well,” he said.
Dr. Tijani noted that NCC has adapted over the years in response to how its role and mandate have changed. He explained, “Fifteen, twenty years ago, NCC was just regulating the telecommunications sector, today, NCC regulates the foundation for which any economy would be prosperous.”
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who hosted the presentation, welcomed the indicators that promote effective regulation, attraction of greater investment, and development of innovative models for broader digital inclusion.
He emphasised that collaborative regulation would support Nigeria’s transition towards effective digital governance, evidence-based policy making and agile regulation in the nation’s digital economy.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has taken a decisive step to address the prolonged challenges faced by Kano students unable to access their academic certificates throughout Ganduje’s administration.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday, it was revealed that Governor Yusuf held a critical meeting with the management of Near East University in Cyprus to tackle the issue.
The discussion focused on the overdue release of certificates for Kano students who graduated between 2015 and 2019.
Many of these graduates, particularly from fields such as Medicine and Nursing, have been unable to advance in their careers due to the non-payment of tuition fees by the Ganduje led immediat past administration.
The governor described the situation as a major setback, not only for the affected students but also for the state, which has been deprived of skilled professionals in critical sectors particularly the healthcare service.
However, he expressed optimism following what he called fruitful discussions with the university management aimed at settling the liabilities and facilitating the release of the certificates.
“This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise,” the governor remarked.
“One cannot imagine that as governor, Ganduje cannot pay for tuition of these medical students who much need for immediate employment with Kano state government, it is a shame on him”
“We remain committed to prioritizing education and the welfare of our people as a foundation for sustainable growth.”
Governor Yusuf’s intervention underscores his administration’s resolve to address systemic challenges in the education sector.
The anticipated resolution of this issue is expected to enable the graduates to fulfill their potential and make meaningful contributions to Kano State’s development.
This effort signals a new chapter of hope for the affected graduates and reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a brighter future for its citizens.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) received five teams from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday, December 9, 2024, to accredit nine academic programmes.
KANO FOCUS reports that the programmes under review include BSc Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, BSc Forensic Science, Masters in Entrepreneurship, Early Childhood Education, and Primary Education.
This marks the third phase of BUK’s ongoing accreditation process, following the successful review of 30 programmes between November 18 and 30, 2024 under phase one and two.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Sani Muhammad Gumel, emphasized the significance of accreditation as a peer-review exercise that enhances the quality of teaching and research at the university.
Professor Bashir Maina, speaking on behalf of the teams, highlighted their mission to assess the programmes and provide recommendations in line with global best practices.
The Director of Academic Planning, Professor Yusuf Garba, explained that the current accreditation process is part of the final phase, which involves the evaluation of 22 programmes in total.
The NUC accreditation teams are expected to submit their findings and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor later this week.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Farin Dutse community Sunday celebrated one of their own, Abduljabbar Idris Farin Dutse, for emerging as the Winner of the 2024 Jigawa state highest category, which is 60 Hizb (Qur’anic recitation, Tafsir, and Qira’at) held at the state capital, Dutse.
KANO FOCUS reports that the competition, which attracted participants from various communities across the state, highlights the importance of Quranic studies and memorization in promoting Islamic education.
The event was marked by a special Walima with large turnout of community members in attendance, with the Village Head of Farin Dutse Malam Mustapha Hassan and other prominent individuals.
While making remarks the village Head urged his wards to pursue Islamic Knowledge and adhere to the teachings of Islamic religion that they can be recognised here and hereafter as today Abduljabbar is making the whole community proud.
He further commended the Executive Governor of Jigawa State Mallam Umar Namadi fca for the sound policies, plans, programme and initiative that allows the less privilege to benefit from the bounties of his leadership style, he sincerely appreciates what has been accorded to their own-son and assured His Excellency their unflinching support.
The traditional ruler l also appreciate the gesture demonstrated by the Rt Honourable Speaker JSHoA Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, for donating cash gifts to the top winner worth N100,000.
The Village Head of further reassured their continued support to the Emir of Dutse Alhaji Hamim Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi under whose guidance and leadership the indigent of the Emirate found it encouraging to send their wards to attain both Islamic and Western education,
While commenting after reading from the glorious Quaran, Malam Abduljabbar Idris Farin Dutse, expressed gratitude for the support from his Parents, teachers, family and community members, emphasizing the role of perseverance and dedication in achieving his goals. He encouraged other youth in the community to engage in Quranic memorization and seek knowledge.
Malam Bala Idris, the Imam of the Farin Dutse Sunnah Mosque praised achievement and recollect how dedication of some selected few individuals had yielded results stating that it serves as an inspiration for the younger generation and reflects the community’s commitment to fostering Islamic values and education.
The Farin Dutse community members went home with commitment to supporting their wards furtherance of both Quranic and Western education initiatives and nurturing future scholars to make difference in the scheme of societal upbringing.
AbdulJabbar Idris Farin Dutse Winner of the 2024 Jigawa state highest category, which is 60 Hizb (Qur’anic recitation, Tafsir, and Qira’at).
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