The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Dr. Isa Pantami has said that federal character would be the guiding principle of his administration in deploying ICT infrastructures to states across the federation.
The DG who stated this when he received the Management team of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in his office said NITDA will key into the Federal government rebuilding plan for the north east zone by redeploying technological infrastructure destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents.
He said, “I have directed my Director of Corporate Strategy and Research to avail me with the list of projects NITDA has carried since inception in relation to how the states have benefitted. We will look at it and see where we can assist in rebuilding the northeast.”
According to him, NITDA’s inputs into rebuilding technology equipment in the north east is a presidential directive which the ready was ready agency to carryout.
Pantami stated that the directive to develop the ICT infrastructure in the North East in the aftermath of the wanton destruction caused by Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the Agency would be complimenting the efforts of the government in rebuilding the zone.
Earlier in her remark, the representative of the Pro Chancellor of the School, Hajia Hauwa Bukar said the objective of the visit was to deliver the congratulatory message of the University Community to Dr. Pantami and wish him a fruitful tenure as the DG of the Agency.
She however used the opportunity to seek for NITDA’s interventions in development of the school adding that there a lot of things the school and NITDA could do together.
Pantami assured them that, by the support of his management team, the requests of the school would be look in to in as much as it follows due process and rule of law.
“We will look at the ATBU needs and make provision for it, if it falls within the ambit of the law. In fact we will be obeying the directive of the President and many other top senior government officials on development of North east zone because of the destruction done to the zone by Boko Haram. We will complement the government’s efforts in rebuilding the zone in the aftermath of the destruction by Boko Haram insurgence,” Dr. Pantami said.
Prof. Saminu Ibrahim, vice chancellor of the Institution, who eulogized the Dr Pantami said the University community is proud to associate itself with the DG for the niche he has carved for himself.
The VC recalled that the University was reluctant to release him when he was going to Saudi Arabia because of his resourcefulness and potential the school has seen in him he however added they are now happy to see him back to the country to play his role in the development of the nation.
“We have gotten a lot of report on what you were able to achieve while in Saudi Arabia which we are very proud of and we have no doubt in our minds that you will make us more proud in your new position as the Director General of NITDA,” he concluded.
