Dr. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication Technology has disclosed that a combination of the use of an Android app, Facebook and twitter were instrumental in Nigeria’s fight to contain the Ebola virus.
Dr Johnson disclosed this in a Policy statement delivered Monday at the ongoing International Telecommunications Union, (ITU) 2014 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-14) in Busan, Republic of Korea. Johnson who informed delegates made up of Ministers and senior officials from across the globe, that with Ebola time is very important added that "the phone app helped in reducing reporting times of infections by seventy-five percent: test results were scanned to tablets and uploaded to emergency databases and field teams got text message alerts on their phones informing them of the results."
According to Efem Ekanga, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media & Public Affairs, Johnson reiterated that the combination of the internet and mobile cellular phones has opened up tremendous opportunities for countries like Nigeria.
The steep increase in mobile use, according to Johnson is driven by a number of factors, particularly, the additional ways in which mobile phones are being used in Nigeria. She added that beyond conducting voice conversations, mobile phones are often the preferred channel for receiving data and for conducting transactions in Nigeria – making phones an indispensable tool used as-cameras, wallets, shops, music players, movie screens, and information or service centres of Nigerians.
"Nigeria’s policy focus," Johnson noted, "is in step with the reality of the mobile internet revolution spreading across the globe; thus, the Ministry of Communication Technology is looking to create a viable environment for the proliferation of lower priced devices, increased investment in network infrastructure, and increased availability of spectrum for mobile broadband, in the knowledge that these will further drive growth in the nation’s ICT sector."
Johnson also disclosed that through the implementation of the National ICT Policy, National Broadband Roadmap, and Guidelines for Nigerian Content in ICT, the Ministry is bringing greater clarity and predictability to the Nigerian ICT industry sector.
Nigeria has seen mobile subscription increase from 87 million active Sim cards to over 131 million and mobile internet subscription stood at 67 million as at June 2014, over the last four years.
The Ministry’s policy framework, Johnson added is in line with the ITU’s Strategic Plan for 2016-2019, particularly its identified goals and targets of Growth, Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Innovation and Partnership.
The ICT sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP is growing and was about ten and a half percent (10.44%) in 2013. The sector also indirectly impacts GDP through its influence on other key sectors; for example, in the 2013, ICTs were responsible for twelve percent (12.05%) of the value added by the Finance and Insurance sector to GDP. In terms of social growth, ICTs are helping Government to meet health objectives, and are amplifying benefits in the education and agriculture sectors.
The ITU’s growth priority of enabling and fostering access to and increased use of telecommunications/ICTs according to Johnson, therefore, resonates with Nigeria, both economically and socially.
Nigeria is also using telecommunications and ICT infrastructure to build a more inclusive society. The Broadband initiative which Nigeria is currently implementing across technologies and at various levels of governance, are in line with the ITU's priority of bridging the digital divide and providing broadband for all.
Furthermore, these initiatives, Johnson reiterated are cognisant of the needs of women and girls, as well as other marginalised groups of the Nigerian society.
Dr Johnson ended the Policy statement by calling on all delegates to support Nigeria’s quest to serve as the Deputy Secretary General of the ITU. President Goodluck Jonathan, she disclosed has approved the presentation of Mr. Shola Taylor, as Nigeria’s candidate for the post of Deputy Secretary General.
Calling on the support of the delegates, she said that Nigeria has valuable experience to share, and the nation is imbibing best practices from other countries.
Taylor is versed in the operation of the ITU and has held several full-time and part-time positions within the Union- having worked in the telecommunications industry in both developed and developing economies.
By Miebi Senge,additional information by efem ekanga.
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