Stories by Olabisi Olaleye [email protected] 08094000013, 08111813040
Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, said recently that the country would reposition the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) for national growth by leveraging on information and communication technology (ICT), especially now that disruptive technologies abound.
The minister stated this during the closing ceremony of a strategic management training for NIPOST staff in Ogere, Ogun State.
According to Shittu,the forum, like similar ones planned for the near future, was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s desire to reposition NIPOST and make it an enviable institution whose success story can be replicated.
“Over the years, there has been a mismatch between planned targets and budgetary outcomes as well as service delivery at NIPOST. This has impeded growth and development in this very vital organ of national communication.
“It is in this context that the retreat was designed to discuss issues around the resolve to reposition the organisation. The retreat also serves as an opportunity to have a general overview of NIPOST within the framework of the ICT strategic road map, its key priorities and deliverables,” he said.
Shittu noted that the retreat could not have been more relevant especially at such a time “when the ICT sector is seeking homegrown solutions to reposition itself in line with present-day realities of the 21st century. I am positive that everyone has had the opportunity to reflect on how we can re-fix and reposition NIPOST for national growth by leveraging on ICT. Repositioning NIPOST brings with it a number of dimensions that must be addressed in a systematic and planned manner, if we are to achieve the desired goal.”
He promised to fast-track the postal reform bill and urged all and sundry to make improvements in ensuring a better mail and financial service sector.
“In the face of fast-shifting customer expectations and technological disruption, we must be on top of our game; we must innovate rapidly. To remain relevant and deliver sustainable superior performance, we need human and institutional capacity development. The workforce needs 21st century skills to stay competitive and relevant in the global, dynamic industry,” he said.
Shittu added that the government was ready to digitalise the workforce.
On his part, Postmaster-General Adebisi Adegbuyi said that it was not totally true that the Internet had crippled opportunities for making money.
However, he was quick to point that postal agencies worldwide have encountered challenges because of disruptive technologies: “Internet has also given us several opportunities in the area of e-commerce, which allows people to shop online and the products have to be delivered to them,” he said.
NIIT to hold exams, gives scholarships
… Harps on IT for economic growth
NIIT, a global leader in skills and talent development, is set to reward meritorious students desirous of building successful careers in today’s knowledge economy during the oncoming 18th National Scholarship ceremony.
According to the organisers, the initiative is meant to enhance employability of deserving students to meet the needs of the country.
“NIIT will now offer scholarships for cutting-edge programs like digiNxt MMS, Big Data, Java Enterprises Apps with DevOps, Digital Marketing, Oracle, CISCO, Android and other programs. These programmes have been introduced by NIIT with a profound understanding of the changing workforce requirement of the global and Nigerian IT industry. More than 100,000 students have benefitted from the scholarship so far.
“Nigeria is overcoming recession with a renewed hope and this is an opportunity for students to contribute to the growth of the country. NIIT will help enable this through its global career programmes. This year, the annual scholarship test will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017, across the country. For more information, students can visit www.niit.com/nigeria,” a statement from the firm said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prakash Menon, president, Global Skills and Careers Group, NIIT Ltd, said, “NIIT has always believed in making cutting-edge professional courses available to meritorious students across the globe. This scholarship is yet another effort that recognises and encourages students’ in Nigeria to pursue a career in IT and IT related domains.
“Nigeria is on the path of sustainable growth, thereby also providing an opportunity of growth to the students of the country. To enable this, we will offer scholarships for revolutionary programmes in digiNxt MMS, Big Data, Java Enterprises Apps with Dev-ops, Digital Marketing, Oracle, CISCO and more to create a talent pool armed with futuristic skill-sets that will help drive the Nigerian IT industry.”
Today, information technology has changed the way people work and the next 10 years will be about transforming businesses across all industry sectors to embrace the digital era. Experts say digitally-transformed organisations are 26 per cent more profitable than their competitors.
Global spending on digital transformation technologies is expected to cross $2.1 Billion by 2019. By 2018, 35% of IT resources will be spent to support the creation of new digital revenue streams, and by 2020 almost 50% of IT budgets will be tied to digital transformation initiatives.
According to industry sources, IT industry in Nigeria is estimated to be among the fastest growing IT industries in the world. NIIT conducts the IT Scholarship exam every year to help identify meritorious students to join this industry and be a part of the global skilled IT Talent pool. Over the last 17 years, NIIT Scholarships have become one of the most awaited events in the annual events calendar of the country.