NCC committed to bridging gender-oriented digital divide –Danbatta

*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission bags ‘Icon of Digital Revolution Award’ at an event in Lagos, restates the all-inclusive digital economy drives the strategic vision plan of the Commission

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In a bid to accelerate inclusive economic prosperity for all citizens, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to bridging the growing gender-oriented digital divide in the West African country.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, restated this commitment at the 2022 Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Tech Summit (WEETS), Thursday, September 15, 2022, in Lagos.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Danbatta conferred with the ‘Icon of Digital Revolution Award’ for his role in stimulating digital connectivity in Nigeria at the event.

The NCC EVC/CEO said promotion of gender equality is a major component of ICT development.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued Friday noted Danbatta said the gender dimensions of ICT, manifest in access and use; capacity-building opportunities; employment and potential for empowerment, and that all these dimensions need to be explicitly identified and addressed.

This is to leverage technology and communication as powerful catalysts for political, economic, and social empowerment of women, and the promotion of gender equality in Nigeria, stated the NCC Chief.

Speaking to the theme of the event, “Reskilling Women and Girls to Thrive in the Digital Economy”, Danbatta, represented by Nafisa Usman Rugga, Head of Digital Media Management at NCC, noted that the theme resonates deeply with the Federal Government’s drive to ensure an all-inclusive digital economy that drives the strategic vision plan of the Commission.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission also expressed his appreciation to organisers, Techlife Media and Communications Limited, a Lagos-based media organisation, for the iconic recognition of his contribution to Nigeria’s digital progression.

The Commission stated it is an encouragement that Danbatta would dedicate to the entire NCC team of professionals that are committed to the digital revolution in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of NCC further commended the organisation for holding forth its annual gathering that pivots discussions on promotion of digital access, skills and knowledge among the women and girls in Nigeria.

The EVC/CEO as well indicated that one of the ways through which the Commission strives to achieve an inclusive growth is through increased digital connectivity to all, regardless of gender and other accidental circumstances.

Danbatta also affirmed that the Commission has continued to play a front-seat role in driving the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030; the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025; and related policies aimed at deepening connectivity for all citizens, thereby bridging digital gender disparity.

He said: “The NCC has put in the front-burner the need to expose girls and young women to more opportunities in the digital ecosystem, in line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Resolution 70.”

He stated the Resolution 70 “advocates gender mainstreaming and promotion of gender equality, as well as the empowerment of women through information and communications technology (ICT), and we are fully committed to this.”

The organisers, while justifying the reason for conferring the award on Nigeria’s chief telecoms regulator, stated that after “reviewing the criteria set for the award, we reckon that Prof. Danbatta deserves the award for blazing the trail in accelerating digital revolution in Nigeria, especially with the historic auction of 3.5 GHz spectrum in a fair, transparent, and credible manner, and considering the various initiatives embarked upon by the Commission under his leadership, to inspire girls and women to play active roles in the evolving global digital economy.”