Kano government, experts for honour at digital innovation conference

The Kano State Government, alongside some selected Nigerians within the information and communications technology (ICT) sector will receive a distinguished award, which will be presented to them by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta.

The awards will be given to them during the closing ceremony of this year’s Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference, scheduled to hold at the Bayero University, Kano on August 19.

According to a media statement signed by Executive Director, Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), the organiser of the two -day conference, Dr. Bayero Agabi, said the award is part of its effort to celebrate some Nigerians, who have promoted the growth of the information and communications technology (ICT) through advocacy and thought leadership prowess.

“We have concluded arrangement to honour about 10 stakeholders in the Nigerian information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The award will be personally presented to them by Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),” said Bayero.

Bayero said these 10 Nigerians were carefully selected for the award because of their consistent support for the development and growth of the industry, which presently contribute about 9 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He noted that the Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference 2016 is targeted at optimizing new digital opportunities and making the ICT sector the next focal point of development for Nigeria as a country and its citizens.

According to him, the conference tagged ‘Building a New Nigeria in a Digital Economy’ will examine how the rapid expansion of digital technology and broadband is transforming the economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

Asked to comment on the choice of Kano, Bayero said the conference, which is being organized in partnership with Cyber Africa is slated to hold in the state because of her strategic importance as one of the most socially-politically stable, key commercial nerve centre, most vibrant in terms of investment-friendly and hospitable with huge tourism potential.