The President, Digital Bridge Institute, DBI, Prof. Mohammed Ajiya has highlighted the need for the nation to embrace ICT as a sine qua non for addressing issues of poverty, insecurity and technological backwardness.

Featuring as part of a panel of discussants at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE) 2022 held in Lagos on Monday, the DBI boss commended the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for putting together the event.

The purpose of the event was to promote the four focus areas of the National Policy on the Promotion and lmplementation of lndigenous Contents (NPPIC) which are Manufacturing, Service and Software, People, Research and Development for innovation in line with the Presidential Mandate to diversify the economy.

The NTICE 2022 which was tagged: “Stimulating the Development of Indigenous Content through Innovation & Commercialization”  is focused on bringing together all stakeholders in the communications value chain and serves as a platform where practicable ideas and solutions could be birthed for the purpose of stimulating demand and supply of indigenous solutions, technologies, capacity building, amongst others.

It was also designed to support the development of new businesses and partnerships to benefit indigenous content in the telecoms value chain, while enabling networking with various industry professionals. It is an event where all categories of stakeholders converged to discuss ideas and solutions as well as showcase their indigenous products and services.

The exhibition is an opportunity provided by the NCC for indigenous operators, manufacturers, regulators, government agencies, policy makers, innovators, influencers, industry leaders, startups, academia and global experts to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions and new technologies, etc.

Among special guests of honours at the opening ceremony were the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Chairman Board of Commissioners of the NCC, Prof Adeolu Akande, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO NCC. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and many others.

The President/CEO was accompanied by Mr. Paulinus Ugwoke, Group Head, Research lnnovation and Consultancy,  Mr. Sani Tsoho Yakawada HLC and Mr. Israel Baiye of CS/IT respectively.