NCC to launch book on Danbatta’s speeches, 2 other strategic projects

Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta is to launch a book on his landmark speeches, as well as unveil two strategic projects of the commission.

The Director of Public Affairs (DPA), NCC, Dr. Adinde Ikechukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja, saying that the launch of the book entitled:  “Catalysing Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation through broadband infrastructure” and the unveiling of the commission’s projects had been scheduled for Sept. 7.

According to him, the book is a compilation of carefully selected, seminal speeches and presentations of the EVC touching on all strategic areas of the development of the nation’s telecommunications industry and ”the entire digital economy ecosystem since his assumption of office as the EVC of NCC in August 2015”.

“Danbatta, a Professor of telecommunications engineering, accomplished academic and seasoned administrator has made extensive speeches and presentations on a wide range of subjects in telecoms and ICT at important national, regional and international events since leaving the ivory tower to become the EVC of NCC in 2015”, Ikechukwu said.

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He added that the landmark speeches and presentations from 2015 to date had been codified in a concise collection as a compendium that would add value to the existing body of knowledge on the telecoms sector and, by extension, the entire ICT industry.

The DPA noted that the book would serve as useful reference material for existing and prospective investors, researchers in academia, policy analysts and others interested in the telecoms industry and its regulation.

“The foreword to the book has been painstakingly written by the late former Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, late Alhaji Ahmed Joda, of blessed memory.

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“The book, which also chronicles important milestones attained by the Commission under Danbatta’s leadership, is a compelling read,” according to Ikechukwu.

He announced that the projects to be unveiled were the NCC’s new five-year Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 and its new social media channel namely, the “NCC’s Global Connect Podcast”.

“The new SVP will enable cross-functional infrastructure, ubiquitous services, and deepen consumer engagement to consolidate the growth of the telecoms sector and expand the possibilities of the digital economy.

“The need to develop another SVP, as a five-year implementation roadmap for the Commission, followed the expiration, in 2020 of the maiden SVP unveiled by Danbatta in 2016, the DPA said.

It has been widely acknowledged that the diligent execution of the first SVP initiative, under Danbatta, had helped the consistent lift of broadband penetration and increase in telephone access.

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“And also boost the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), enhance healthy competition in the industry, improve quality of service (QoS), as well as put the sector’s overall investment profile on an impressive growth trajectory, among others”, he added.

Ikechukwu similarly explained that the NCC’s Global Connect Podcast, the latest addition to the commission’s social media spectrum, would help to enhance the Commission’s corporate communication activities in cyberspace.

“The podcast initiative is conceived in keeping with NCC’s core values of innovation and excellence.

“It adds to the existing media channels, providing an inclusive medium to broaden our media platforms to educate external stakeholders on its regulatory activities irrespective of their circumstances, through audio contents,” he said.

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The DPA also disclosed that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, which would also attract senior government officials, industry leaders, dignitaries, and other stakeholders from across the country. (NAN)