The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has congratulated the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, on his appointment as the chairman of the 2022 World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Danbatta described the choice of the Pantami as chair of the forum as a worthy recognition of Nigeria’s leadership role in the global digital economy ecosystem, noting that Nigeria has continued to hold forte in the promotion of information and communication technology (ICT) as a driving force for national development since the assumption of office as minister.
“On behalf of the board, management and staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission, I want to express our profound delight and congratulations to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, on his well-deserved appointment by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to chair this year’s WSIS Forum,” Danbatta stated.
“The appointment did not surprise us at NCC, given the important role the Hon. Minister has been playing in driving fundamental digital economy policies, being implemented by agencies under his supervision, to boost the diversification policy of the Federal Government.
“We are, therefore, happy to associate with the minister on this feat, as it means greater recognition for Nigeria. The appointment is an indication that the world has continued to take notice of the giant strides of Nigeria’s digital economy under the supervision of the minister.
“The NCC will continue to do everything within its regulatory mandate to further support the Federal Government’s drive for ubiquitous, affordable and accessible digital services across all nooks and crannies of the country,” Danbatta said.
Following consultations with various stakeholders, the ITU recently notified the Pantami via a letter, of his appointment as the 2022 WSIS Chairman.
The ITU is organising the WSIS 2022 Forum in collaboration with other agencies and the United Nations, with a focus on “ICTs for Wellbeing, Inclusion and Resilience: WSIS Cooperation for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs” as the theme.
As has been noted elsewhere, the appointment of Pantami has given Nigeria and, indeed, Africa, the unique role of coordinating the activities of the WSIS in its 20th year, following the WSIS Phase I meeting which took place in 2003.
A statement by the commission’s director of public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said the WSIS Forum 2022, which will be attended by several high-level stakeholders, including cabinet ministers from ITU countries, will serve as a key platform to discuss the role of ICTs as a means to bolster the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discourse will take place in the context of the mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UNGA Resolution A/70/1).
The WSIS Forum also provides an opportunity to track the achievements of WSIS action lines in collaboration with the UN agencies involved and provides information and analysis on the implementation of WSIS action lines since 2005. The forum aims to enhance cooperation, partnership, innovation, exchange of experiences and good practices in ICTs for sustainable development across the world.
