The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has  urged the House of Representatives to support intervention initiatives for the development of the telecommunications sector.
The National Executive Council members of the association made the demand when they paid a courtesy visit to Rep. Peter Akpatason, the Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, and his committee members in Abuja recently.
The visit was to inform the lawmakers of ATCON’s 30th anniversary, present issues confronting the telecoms sector, explore ways of collaborations and familiarise with the committee.
The President of accocioation,  Mr. Anthony Emoekpere, said some of the issues bedeviling the sector included the need for an enabling environment that would bring investment to the sector and foster growth.
Emoekpere also said there was the challenge of driving local content, funding deficit, multiple regulations and rising cost of business.
“There is a need for a concerted effort to shape the future of youths by sponsoring a bill to ensure that a Nigerian content plan exists in the industry”, he said.
He recommended that the committee can adopt the model practiced by the Nigerian Local Content Management Board for the Local Content Fund in the Oil and Gas sector.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji,  has said the Ministry has developed a national policy on nanotechnology soon to be presented to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.
Uche said this recently at the 2023 World Science Day for Peace and Development with the theme, “Building trust in science’’,  in Abuja.
Represented by his Technical Adviser on Strategy and Programmes,  Prof Matthew Ike-Muonso, Nnaji expressed optimism that the technology would accelerate national nanotechnology development for economic diversification.
According to him, the contemporary society acknowledged the pivotal role science and technology played in progress and development, hence Nigeria must prioritise science and technology as the bedrock for socio-economic development.
The Minister said the theme of the event underscored the indispensable need to foster trust in scientific endeavours as the base upon which the edifice of scientific progress stood.
“It is essential to underline the imperative of trust in scientific methodologies, research outcomes and their utilization, as scientific and societal impact rely heavily on the trust it garners”, he said.
He said achieving sustainable progress and societal advancement depended on trust in the scientific processes by ensuring transparency, credibility and ethical practices in every scientific pursuit.
Nnaji recalled that in efforts to build trust in Nigeria’s scientific pursuits, and nurture a culture of encouraging young pupils towards excellent scientific pursuits, the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award was set up.
He also enumerated various works and achievements of the ministry, its agencies and parastatals which included formulation of numerous national policies and programmes.
Earlier, Mr James Sule, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, noted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), proclaimed the World Science Day for peace and development.
He disclosed that UNESCO mandated the day to be celebrated yearly on every November 10.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, has said there was no need to have any law to regulate social media activities in the country.
The commissioner stated this, weekend, at the opening of a 2-day training for social media users in Katsina, organised by the Katsina Times News Paper/Magazine.
The Tide’s source reports that the training on digital media skills was organised in collaboration with Sardaunan Katsina foundation.
“We don’t need any law to regulate social media, because the constitution has made everything clear, and the same thing with the penal code where any criminal law is there.
“We also have media communication laws and ethics, defamation, sedition, law of privacy, and other communication laws”, he said.
According to him, the social media has come to stay, and there was no way to stop social media in the world, because internet has brought about citizen journalism.
Salisu-Zango noted that this opportunity existed in the country due to the constitutional provisions on freedom of expression and speech.
“Social media has very important function in the society, by performing all the functions that the mainstream media carry out. Therefore, I consider social media users as journalists like any other journalist. Nigerian constitution has provided an opportunity for them”, he said.
According to him, if the participants will utilise the opportunity for the training, they will use the social media for the progress and development of their community and the country in general.
He also called on them to understand media law and ethics, saying it will guide them to use the social media in a better way, especially on developmental journalism.
“Social media also provide job opportunities, because we are in an era where government alone cannot provide job for everybody”,  he said.
Salisu-Zango also called on participants to avoid using the social media for promoting rumours, incitement, fake news and lies, saying they should rather be objective and ensure balance in their reportage.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Zone-14 Katsina, CSP Gambo Isa, called on social media bloggers and influencers not to allow themselves to be used in promoting fake news capable of bringing discord among members of a family, group or society.
“No matter the pecuniary gain, don’t allow yourself to be used in destroying others. Do not allow your social media handles to be used for mischief, ensure you promote good conduct, assist the government, its people, and security agencies in the state.
“Always report positive achievements, especially on the ongoing fight against crime and criminality in the state.