IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The federal government will train 23, 000 of its officials on how to reduce corruption in the civil service through effective use of Information Technology, the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Peter Jack, has said.

Jack said yesterday in Abuja that NITDA would key into the federal government’s anti-corruption campaign by using IT to reduce the bureaucracy associated with civil service in the country.

According to her, the new framework, which will harmonise all activities and operations of all MDAs, under one portal is at the final stage of conclusion, adding that the new portal came about as a result of an all inclusive wide range stakeholders meeting across public, private and cross country consultations.

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, on Thursday stated that arrangement had been concluded to unveil 29 new standards, guidelines and regulations for all Information Communications and Technology (ICT) operators in the country next month.

The DG, who made the disclosure on the agency’s multi-stakeholder approach for rapid deployment of e-governance across all sectors of the economy at press briefing in Abuja, said the 29 standards and guidelines was developed by NITDA with inputs from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The federal government has kick-started a pioneer programme to train members of Kano executive council on e-governance and digital transformation.

This, it said, is to develop the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

The programme was initiated to give special training to top government officials in the state on modern technology adoption, in order to improve their performances at all levels while delivering services to the general public.

In its fulfilment to enable the development of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the federal government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under the leadership of honourable minister, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has kick-started a pioneer programme to train members of Kano executive council on e-governance and digital transformation.

The programme was initiated to give special training to the top government officials in the state on modern technology adoption, in order to improve their performances at all levels while delivering services to the general public.

The 'switch to .gov.ng' is an initiative of the Ministry designed for the adoption and penetration of the unified email platform for federal civil servants on grade levels 10 to 17 in order to improve internal productivity and quality service delivery to Nigerians.

In a statement signed by Hajia Hadiza Umar, yesterday in Abuja, on behalf of the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, said the process involves making available infrastructure that would enable women and youths have easy and strategic access to e-commerce, e-government, e-education and e-society, infrastructure.

The smart states initiative is in line with the implementation of the National Broadband Plan at all tiers of government. Lagos State and Cross River State have already pioneered the initiatives while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and being tested in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Anambra, Bayelsa, Ondo and other states.

The Federal Government, in partnership with MTN Nigeria, has unveiled a nationwide digital city platform, MyCityApp Nigeria, in Abuja, marking a new phase in efforts to deepen digital infrastructure and smart city development across the country.

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, who led the launch in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday, described the platform as a strategic step in Nigeria’s digital transformation drive.

The Federal Government said it has adopted the National ICT Strategic Roadmap 2017-2020 with a view to optimising ICT local content and empowering local business in the industry.

Speaking at a forum in Lagos, Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, said the strategy falls in line with government aspirations of transforming the nation into a high-value economy while always ensuring inclusiveness in its approach.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, on Monday in Abuja, unveiled an Electronic Records Management (ERM) platform for the tracking of incoming and outgoing mails and letters from and to the Ministry.

A statement by Hassan Dodo, Director of Information, Ministry of Finance, stated that the launch was in furtherance of the current administration’s commitment to digitize all government’s platforms and the Ministry’s commitment towards improving service delivery to the citizenry.

In the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State, some of those registered claimed that their finger prints were not taken during registration.At the weekend, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had gone to three different registration points to register but his finger prints were not captured by the machines.

A real estate firm, GodMade Homes Limited (GMH), has urged the federal and state governments to digitise home delivery to enhance access to home schemes and reduce housing deficit in the states.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Olanrewaju, noted that the process would bring convenience to all given that information could be accessed and exchanged between the ministry and the public.

The Chairman, Cubana Group, Obinna Iyiegbu, has said the firm plans to develop a new smart city project in Abuja to bridge the housing gap in the country.

He said the new project would employ youths through direct means and engage professional architects, engineers and other consultants through an open engagement process.

A leading technology- based company Xerox, says it is ready to partner with the Rivers State Government on effective information management and documentation processes.

General Manager, Sales and Marketing of the company, Femi Abidoye disclosed this during a product exhibition and interactive session with staff of government Agencies and parastatals, held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Justice in Port Harcourt recently.

The Imo State Government has concluded arrangements with foreign investors from South Korea for the establishment of a smart city in the state.

The Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Statistics, Hon. Christopher Chukwuemeka Osuala, said this to newsmen in Owerri, Monday led by the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Networking, Onwuzuruike Chantel Adanna Chinyere.

The Imo State Government has concluded arrangements with foreign investors from South Korea for the establishment of a smart city in the state.

The Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Statistics, Hon. Christopher Chukwuemeka Osuala, said this to newsmen in Owerri, Monday led by the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Networking, Onwuzuruike Chantel Adanna Chinyere.

At the launch this week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru said the project was designed to bring real-time secure communication with embassies and missions abroad.

He disclosed that the ICT training center would enhance the technological skills of his staff and place Nigeria’s diplomatic service in the forefront of international visibility.

IT is increasingly becoming a necessary tool for the creation of majority of jobs throughout the world. The positive implication of this new trend is that job opportunities abound for citizens of countries like Nigeria where unemployment is high.

Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, yesterday said deployment of online solutions by FIRS is to make tax payment and administration convenient, transparent and efficient. To this end, Fowler urged taxpayers to make use of the solutions in paying their taxes.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja when he received in audience Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), on courtesy visit. Members of AYF on the visit commended Fowler for what they called “unprecedented record in the history of tax administration in FIRS and in Nigeria.