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FG, Huawei agree on new ICT growth initiative

By Adeyemi Adepetun
25 August 2016   |   2:06 am
The Federal Government and Chinese technology firm, Huawei, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), targeted at deepening the country’s ICT ecosystem.
Managing Director, Huawei Nigeria, Teng Li (left) and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, at the signing of a Memoradum of Understanding between the government and Huawei on the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility project ‘Seeds for the Future’ program, targeted at deepening ICT in Nigeria, in Abuja.

Managing Director, Huawei Nigeria, Teng Li (left) and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, at the signing of a Memoradum of Understanding between the government and Huawei on the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility project ‘Seeds for the Future’ program, targeted at deepening ICT in Nigeria, in Abuja.

The Federal Government and Chinese technology firm, Huawei, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), targeted at deepening the country’s ICT ecosystem.

The new deal will see Nigerian government officials partaking in Huawei’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility project ‘Seeds for the Future’.

Launched in 2008, Huawei’s said the CSR program aimed at cultivating local ICT talent, promoting knowledge transfer, improving people’s interest in and understanding of the telecommunications industry, and encouraging countries and regions to participate in the building of digital communities.

The agreement was sealed on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Huawei claimed the launch of the programme in Nigeria came at a time the government is pushing hard to deepen ICT uptake, penetration and use especially through discovering and training of young talents and government officials in technology related areas.

Speaking at the MoU signing, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, said the Nigeria Government recognises the acquisition and deployment of ICT skills as a major contributor to the success so far achieved in its on-going fight against corruption, insecurity and insurgency.

He added that ICT has also become a major employment enabler and wealth generator for the teaming masses of unemployed Nigeria youths. “I will therefore wish to assure Huawei of Government’s unflinching support for the success of this programme and that the government is indeed very grateful.”

Earlier, the Managing Director of Huawei in Nigeria, Teng Li, stated, “the purpose of the program is to nurture young promising ICT professionals in every country where Huawei operates. Through this program, Huawei selects young government officials working in ICT-related departments for a study trip in China.”

The firm later explained that the program at the government officials’ level, involves Huawei inviting 10 Nigerian officials in ICT related fields to take part in an ICT innovative training at Huawei’s Headquarters in Shenzhen, China.

“Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program is honing the e-skills of Nigeria’s most promising population, helping them stay up-to-date with the latest developments in ICT, as well as giving them a broader, international perspective. The experience of working in a multinational company and environment raises their value on the job market and prepares them for leadership roles in the future especially as ICTs have become crucial growth engines for many different industries,” he stated.

The firm said it is committed to promoting ICT industry development in the countries it operates, and aims to drive long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

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