Oluwo pleads as minister opposes creation of technology institute in Iwo

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Thursday appealed to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, and the Federal Government to ensure creation of Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Iwo, Osun State. 

He spoke in Abuja Thursday at a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the institute. 

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Oluwo said President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was known for infrastructural revolution requiring the proposed institute as icing on the cake.

The committee, chaired by Senator Yakubu Oseni (APC Kogi), had sought the creation of the institute, but the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Isa Pantami, kicked against it.

Pantami, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Bitrus Bako, cited paucity of fund and duplication of mandates of existing institutions. 

He said: “Another critical observation made by the ministry is that the courses listed to be run by the proposed institute are already being run by some of the polytechnics in the country.” 

The minister, who asked that the bill be stepped down, said: “Rather than seek establishment of a different institute, concerted efforts should be made to make adequate financial provisions for the existing ones.”

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Adelere Oriolowo (APC, Osun), said the institute was a necessity in the digital world. 

He said: “Globally, applications of ICT are making dramatic changes in economic and social development.”