The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has joined in celebrating Nigeria’s remarkable achievements at the ongoing International Telecommunications Union (ITU)’s World Radio Communications (WRC) Conference 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The executive vice-chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida expressed his excitement at the election of two Nigerians into key leadership positions and the active participation of other delegates from the NCC.
On the sidelines of WRC 2023, Maida announced that the director of spectrum administration at NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami has been elected vice-chairman of the ITU’s Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG). Additionally, the acting general manager and project manager of the Navigation Project Office at the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Dr. Lasisi Salami Lawal was elected vice-chairman of the ITU-R Study Group Four (satellite services).
Several other members of the NCC delegation also secured positions in WRC 2023 Working Groups.
Maida expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani who led Nigeria’s delegation to WRC 2023. He commended the minister for providing guidance, leadership, encouragement and support to the Nigerian delegation during the conference.
The WRC conference serves as a global platform for agreeing on the use of the world’s finite spectrum resources, crucial for the functioning of everyday technologies.
Maida highlighted the significance of the elected delegates’ roles in enhancing Nigeria’s global standing in the telecom space. He emphasised that their positions would ensure Nigeria’s interests and goals align with global best practices, particularly as the country works towards achieving targets set by the National Broadband Plan.
Expressing his excitement about the election results, Maida remarked, “I am excited about the election of two of our colleagues, Engr. Oshadami and Dr. Lawal as vice chairs of the key study groups. It is an honour for the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited to have produced these two intellectuals as global radiocommunication leaders”.
He charged the elected officials to meet the expectations of the global radiocommunication community and emphasised their crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s telecom interests on the international stage.
Maida took the opportunity to reflect on the presence of the Honourable Minister at the event, describing it as a significant booster for the delegation and a strong indication of the Federal Government’s commitment to the success of Nigeria’s participation at the WRC-23.
In addition to the electoral success, Maida engaged with leaders in the global telecom industry during the event. He held meetings with key figures such as the secretary-general of the ITU, Mrs. Doreen Borden-Martin and the secretary-general of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), Mr. John Omo. These meetings provided a platform to share the commission’s vision, priorities and explore potential areas of collaboration for increased Nigerian participation in these global telecommunications bodies.
Moreover, Maida met with directors at the ITU, including the director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), Dr. Cosmas Zavazava; Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), Mr. Mario Maniewicz and the director of the Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau (TSB), Mr. Seizo Onoe.
A notable meeting was also held with his UAE counterpart, the director-general of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Engr. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar. The discussions centered around effective regulation, allowing for the exchange of perspectives and insights.
In summary, the NCC’s successful participation in WRC 2023 not only positioned Nigeria as a key player in global telecommunications but also opens avenues for collaboration, knowledge sharing and a stronger regulatory framework. Maida’s proactive engagement with international leaders underscores Nigeria’s commitment to advancing its telecom sector on the global stage.
