The Federal Government has re-emphasised the adoption of emerging technologies as highly imperative and requires uttermost prioritisation to scale-up Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
This disclosure was made known by the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi when he received the deputy commandant and director of studies of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Mr. DE Egbeji, the management staff of the institute’s faculty of studies as well as the 16 participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) at the corporate headquarters of the agency.
Appreciating the representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chadian Armed Forces and various other organisations at the 16th edition of the course, Abdullahi hailed their participation as a reflection of their various commitments to the development of the country.
Describing the theme of the event, “Globalization: Implication for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development” as apt and timely, Abdullahi posited that regional integration is a major driving force in the process of globalisation with technology as a catalyst.
“Globalisation is a process of integrating economies, societies and cultures through the world wide web and technology generally. Technology is becoming increasingly integrated, with everything around us becoming technology and facilitating globalization,” he pointed out.
While emphasising the impact of technology on regional integration, globalization and, consequently, sustainable development, the NITDA boss stated that technology has helped countries increase the exchange of goods and services globally, enhancing foreign direct investments.
“Wherever you are, you can start your own business locally and with technology, it can help you grow exponentially and also take your product and services to global markets,” he said.
Admonishing the participants to embrace, adopt and deploy the use of emerging technologies in their various organisational processes, Abdullahi stated that utilizing emerging technologies in operational processes increases efficiency as well as productivity and, therefore, urged them to make the best use of it because the benefits are enormous.
While giving more insight into the training’s theme, Abdullahi asserted that technology remained critical in sustaining development in any society because it would bring a convergence between the physical, digital and biological worlds by harmonising all resources to achieve a desired goal.
Buttressing his point further with practical illustrations of the numerous positive impacts that technology has had on humanity, the first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert in the Nigerian public service averred that using technology to improve farm produce has curbed global food insecurity, use of surveillance cameras, social network analysis, deployment of drones have been used to fight insecurity and the enhancement of education, construction, health sector, technology among others.
He further disclosed that research is ongoing globally where farm products can be produced from vertical and soil-less farming, where cultured meat can be produced from animal stem cells and where 3D printing technology can be used to produce bioartificial organs for the body.
The NITDA boss stated that the agency’s National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) had been doing a lot of research on the advancement of technology in the country while the agency has been collaborating with various institutions and organisations in the country to provide security and diversify the nation’s economy.
Abdullahi expressed his belief that the training would have a great impact on the country and encouraged the participants to deploy knowledge gained in their various organisations so that the country can create and capture value from emerging technologies for its socio-economic development.
Earlier, Egbeji appreciated the DG and his management team for the warm reception and the agency’s enviable achievements over the years.
He hailed the institute as a high-level manpower training body and sought further collaborations with the agency in achieving their mutual statutory objectives and that of the country.
“Essentially, the course is a form of synergy to accommodate officials from different agencies of government and interact. Globalisation is about technology, which is why we are here to hear from your wealth of experience in terms of technology,” he explained.
