Internet Group Urges Dev Of Digital Economy

The President of the
Nigeria Internet Group, Mr Bayo Banjo, last Monday urged the Federal Government to use Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) to develop the country’s digital economy this year.
Digital economy is the global network of economic and social activities that are enabled by ICT, such as the Internet, computer, mobile and sensor networks.
Digital economy implies paying for goods through debit or credit card at stores and receiving pathology results electronically, among others.
Banjo told newsmen in Lagos said that a developed digital economy would make Nigeria one of the 20 most developed economies by 2020.
He said that the country’s current digital level was still low compared with some other developing countries in Africa such as South Africa and Ghana.
According to him, the average Nigerian youth still lacks access to Internet facilities in his place of learning.
He said that this could deprive Nigeria of a developed digital economy.
Banjo said that a developed digital economy would also bring government closer to the people.
“The Federal Government should be committed to ensuring that the country is developing on a shared vision for information, communications and technology sector,” he said.
Banjo said that the government should provide ICT facilities in public schools and hospitals to facilitate efficient service delivery.
“This will make ICT to deliver better services to other sectors,” he said.
He said that Nigerian students in public institutions should be able to access Internet within the vicinity of their institutions.

Out going Commander, 34 Brigade, Maj.-Gen. Modibbo Alkali, inaugurating a class Room Block and ITC Centre at Eleme Army Barracks in Rivers State, yesterday. Photo:NAN