From Walter Ukaegbu, Abuja
Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta, has said that the number of active subscribers in the telecom network were more than 152 million.
He explained that teledesify, which is measured as one telephone to 100 of population, were above 107 percent, while internet penetration has continued to rise to more than 97 million.
Danbatta, who made this remark over the weekend shortly before the end of the Abuja International Trade Fair, maintained that Nigeria has achieved more than 20 per cent penetration as reported by the International Telecommunication Union.
He explained that the development showed that Nigeria were near to the 2018 target of 30 per cent broadband penetration as proposed by the national broadband strategy report.
“This indicated that the commissions efforts in pursuing a robust broadband deployment programme through the open access model of fibre optic infrastructure provision licensing and auctioning of broadband spectrum licenses are yielding fruitful results,” he said.
On text messages, the EVC who was represented during the event entitled: “NCC Day” at the fair by Reuben Muoka, disclosed that the commission had empowered the consumers to determine, which messages to receive.
EDUCATION: TRCN: We’ll restore teachers’ dignity
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, has vowed to take steps and implement policies that would restore the dignity of teachers, thus making them proud of the profession.
Ajiboye said that the recent Letter of Professional Standing (LPS), which TRCN championed would further restored the dignity of Nigerian teachers particularly those who wish to teach outside the shore of Nigeria.
The TRCN helmsman, who made the commitment during a paper presentation in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State, said that actions and policies that would be taken by the Council in time to come would make it uncomfortable for quacks to gain entry into the profession.
He promised that the Council would not operate outside the Act that established it to achieve these goals.
He said, “The Act 31 of 1993 (Now TRCN Act Cap T3 of 2004) that established the Council empowered us to control and regulate teaching profession in order to match teacher quality, discipline, professionalism, reward and dignity with international standard.”
Ajiboye, however, said that the Council had systematically strengthened its programmes on registration and licensing of teachers; accreditation, monitoring and supervision of the courses and programmes; professional qualifying examination; enforcement of professional ethics among others.
WORKS: FG to dualise 90km Ilorin-Jebba highway
From Magnus Eze, Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday said the 90kilometre Ilorin-Jebba segment of the trans Saharan route, currently under reconstruction, would be dualised in due course.
Also, the government has stated its commitment to dualise the entire rian section of the international route.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who made the disclosure while opening the 65th session of the Trans-Saharan Road Liaison Committee (TRLC), said that the Section 2 (50km Oyo-Ogbomoso) of the segment between Ibadan and Ilorin was being dualised on a new alignment.
Fashola further disclosed that other sections of the route from Jebba to Mokwa and up to the border town of Kongolam are being considered for reconstruction and dualisation.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abubakar Magaji, said the importance government placed on the development of the route was evidenced in the ongoing reconstruction of the 127.70km Lagos-Ibadan section that is being expanded from a two lane dual carriageway to three lanes in each direction.
Also speaking, Secretary General of TRLC, Mr. Mohammed Ayadi, described the project as a good example of active cooperation and achievements that could be mutually recorded within the continent.
NATIONAL PLANNING: Private sector, engine for economic growth – Udoma
From Basil Obasi, Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday reinstated its commitment and supports geared at repositioning the private sector to perform its role optimally as the engine of economic growth and development.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who made this disclosure at the ongoing 22ndNigerian Economic Summit, in Abuja, explained that the public sector, especially as it pertains to the President Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government, had conceded that the private sector was the true engine of growth.
Udoma said: “It is also now accepted that there is no sector that the private sector should be excluded from participating in and the good news is that civil servants are also beginning to understand that they, as government officials, have a responsibility to facilitate and promote an environment that is conducive for business growth.”
The Budget and Planning Minister further noted that the current administration places premium on economic diversification which is not only critical but compelling if the nation intends to stop the present level of volatility and its attendant economic woes.
Udoma said: “The important mechanism for achieving diversification is by encouraging a ‘Made in Nigeria’ philosophy and preference to take root in all our practices.”
