Federal University Wukari visits NCC, solicits for ICT infrastructural support

The Nigerian Communications Commission recently hosted the Council and management of the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State. The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing council Alh. Ahmed Uba Nana( Garkunwan Ningi) acknowledged the numerous contributions of the commission in the transformation of Nigeria to Information Age, adding that the appointment of Prof. Umar Danbatta as EVC/CEO of the Commission is an appointment in the right direction. According to him, the Federal University Wukari was one of the universities established in 2011 by the Federal Government as part of their commitment to promoting access to higher education. The University in a bid to achieve this objective has introduced programmes that will support the development of individuals in divers’ areas of human endeavours including Information Communication Technology, he said. The importance of ICT cannot be over emphasized and as such, he said, they were in the Commission to solicit support in the deployment of necessary infrastructure to support their quest for the integration of technology in attaining the objectives of the University, deployment of Broadband infrastructure in the University, as well as provision of laptops and Desk top computers for their ICT laboratory. He said “ your support of the objectives of the University in Technology enhanced learning will go a long way in not only promoting the objectives of quality of education output in Nigeria but will impact the immediate and wider community of the University.” In his response, the EVC /CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, enumerated some of the programmes initiated by the Commission to encourage ICT in schools which is in tandem with his 8 point agenda. He summarized the mandate of the Commission which is encapsulated in his 8-point Agenda as follows: achieving Broadband penetration of 30% in the country, Improving the Quality of Service, Optimization and the usage of the scarce spectrum, promotion of ICT innovation and Investment, encouraging healthy completions among players in the industry, protecting and empowering consumers as well as taking necessary steps to regulate the industry properly. He went further to say that NCC is willing to collaborate with the institution in the provision of ICT infrastructure especially in the area of research. He advised them to be on the lookout for when the commission will publish for interested institutions make their submissions. Earlier in his comment, the Secretary of USPF Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, said that the Commission had already sent a two man delegation to the Institution to access their needs and how best the commission can assist them. He also said that programmes like Tertiary Institutions knowledge Centre (TIKC), Advanced Digital Appreciation programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) are some of the interventions by the Commission to assist Tertiary institutions to be ICT compliant. Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Deputy Director New Media and Information Security NCC, said that the Commission donates some engineering and ICT tool to universities annually and regrets that the one for 2018 has already been captured in the budget but they still have opportunity to benefi t in the coming year.