The success of any administration largely depends on the quality of individuals appointed to serve within it. Identifying such individuals who possess the intellect, time and energy to contribute to the governance process is no easy task. However, the new governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang seems to have a remarkable ability to select the right people for his team. Among his early appointments is Mr. Datong, Dominic Gwaman, a distinguished professional plucked from the apex bank of the country to serve as the director-general of the Plateau Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PITCDA).
Datong is a ‘golden fish’, as they say, with no hiding place. He brings much-needed expertise to his new position as the head of PITCDA. This appointment, undoubtedly well thought-out, is expected to facilitate a turnaround in an agency established to streamline the machinery of government.
Before leaving his prestigious position at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Datong served as the head of business relationship management (Operations Directorate) in Abuja. As a tested technocrat, he demonstrated his proficiency as a business analyst on the FAAC executive dashboard, displaying trends of flows and disbursement of FAAC allocations on multiple occasions.
Furthermore, considering his crucial role in the monthly allocation of funds to the three tiers of government, Datong also worked as a business analyst for the deployment of the scriptless securities settlement system for applications for trade and settlement of securities (FGN bonds, NTBs, FGN treasury bonds, CBN securities).
Recognising the significance and importance of government daily instruments, Datong led the SD-WAN deployment connectivity across 46 locations of the CBN, enabling internet access, data transmission and inter-branch voice communication. Moreover, his expertise will be relied upon for the deployment of bulk corporate internet for various uses, including voice calls and video meetings, distributed across 46 locations.
Datong’s responsibilities also include providing strong leadership and guidance to a team of business analysts, conducting regular performance evaluations, and providing constructive feedback to team members. With his profound insights, he has developed and implemented a strategic vision for the business analysis function, as well as established standardized documentation templates and accompanying strategies to address challenges.
During his tenure at the Central Bank in Abuja, Datong also headed the network operations and oversaw the implementation of a robust business continuity plan to support operations during the COVID-19 lockdown. He successfully led the network team in implementing infrastructure that enabled remote work initiatives during the lockdown. As a natural team leader, Datong managed and supervised the network team, providing enhanced connectivity across 46 locations of the bank, resulting in a significant reduction of recurrent costs by at least 50 per cent. Furthermore, he made substantial contributions to the ISO 70001 team and actively participated in the certification process as a member of the response team.
Datong’s career at the apex bank also included heading the information technology infrastructure operations and management at the Bank of Agriculture. During this time, he designed and recommended security solutions that best protected corporate infrastructure and ensured that all deployments adhered to the bank’s disaster recovery plan. He also ensured that the managed internet service met 99.9 per cent availability for internal and external stakeholders, integrated new solutions into the bank’s network and security architecture and managed the information and technology (IT) infrastructure and personnel to support agriculture in rural areas.
Throughout his tenure in various branches of the CBN across different states, Datong was responsible for identifying and locating system malfunctions using visualization, manuals, and computer-assisted diagnostic approaches. He also oversaw the installation of newly procured electro-mechanical systems, ensuring that they met daily production targets, and managed the quality assurance program, including evaluation, internal audits, and customer surveys.
Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in leadership and strategic studies at the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, Datong had previously obtained an MPHIL in leadership and strategic studies at the same academy. His educational accomplishments also include a master’s degree in conflict, security, and development, a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
As an alumnus of St. Joseph’s College, Vom, Plateau State, Datong holds a diploma in French and possesses certifications in business continuity management, ITIL, service centre analyst and [is a] CISCO-certified network analyst. He is also a member of Nigeria’s prestigious engineering regulation body, COREN.
Married and blessed with two beautiful girls, Datong hails from the Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The appointment of Datong as the director-general of PITCDA is a testament to Governor Mutfwang’s keen eye for identifying competent individuals. Datong’s wealth of experience and expertise demonstrated throughout his career, make him a perfect fit for this crucial role. With his leadership and strategic vision, it is anticipated that PITCDA will thrive under his guidance, contributing significantly to the development and progress of Plateau State.
Tanko, an Abuja-based ICT expert and analyst, can be reached via 09122262272 (SMS only).
