The Federal Government will create an ICT databank that will aid research and innovation in the country, the Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has said.
Dr Onu disclosed this in Abuja Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 4th International Workshop on Application of ICT in Education, Healthcare and Agriculture.
The minister said the Muhammadu Buhari administration had been deploying ICT infrastructure in order to build indigenous capacity for manufacture of hardware and software.
He said ICT databank would strengthen the role of science, technology and innovation in all sectors of the economy.
“This will help our dear nation to strengthen her currency, heal the sick, reduce poverty, defeat ignorance, provide housing for all, protect the environment and conquer hunger”, he said.
In her welcome address, Mrs Belema Wakama, the ministry’s permanent secretary said the country was developing its ICT infrastructure in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Efforts are currently underway to enhance information communications technology manpower in order to bridge the current skill gap. Furthermore government is working assiduously to improve infrastructure and software development with a view to promoting greater broadband penetration in the rural communities”, the perm sec said.
In her goodwill message, the acting Secretary to the Government of Federation, Dr Habiba Lawal said the FG “is working with various stakeholders to ensure that e-learning and learning management systems based on the Nigerian curricular are developed to complement the effort of our teachers.”
Represented by the permanent secretary in the special duties office, Dr Aminat Shamaki, the acting SGF said the government was also exploring telemedicine to provide remote health services with a number of private organisations.
