“The Honourable Minister, Dr Pantami is a go-getter in the team of His Excellency, President Buhari”, the President, FCT Chapter, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Mr Blessing Olaifa has said.
Mr Olaifa made this assertion on Monday while delivering a goodwill message on behalf of his colleagues during the opening ceremony of a five-day capacity development programme on digital skills in News Reportage for ICT Journalists taking place at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Abuja.
Mr Olaifa also commended the Honourable Minister for being the first cabinet member to address journalist and give an account of his stewardship early this year.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM stated that the digital Nigeria project cannot be achieved without capacity development, stressing that ICT Journalists have a role to play.
The Minister also highlighted that similar training will be conducted for people living with disabilities, farmers, artisans, civil servants among others, in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria launched and unveiled by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.
Dr Pantami further called on the media practitioners to upheld professionalism and integrity in reporting, stressing that responsible journalism is key to democracy and good governance.
Pantami also underscored some of the achievement recorded under his leadership such as the development National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025, protection of telecom infrastructures, addressing the challenges of Right of Way among others.
“With all sense of humility as at the time I assumed office, Broadband Penetration was at 31.5%. As of today in less than a year in office, Broadband Penetration stands at 40.18%. We have achieved an almost 10% increase”, the Minister said.
The highlight of the day was the presentation of ICT tools to the media practitioners.