Broadband availability’ll greatly reduce poverty in Nigeria, DADA, Omo-ETTU August 25, 2010

From The Vanguard Aug 24, 2010

Broadband availability’ll greatly reduce poverty in Nigeria, DADA, Omo-ETTU

By Emmanuel Elebeke

Broadband availability’ll greatly reduce poverty in Nigeria, DADA, Omo-ETTU

Technology Aug 24, 2010

By Emmanuel Elebeke

A little over a fortnight ago, a stakeholders’ forum on Broadband for Nigeria (BB4NG) was held in Abuja. It was an event in which almost all the identified stakeholder groups were represented, specifically the consumer advocacy groups; telephone operators; academia; consultants; international agencies and the Federal Government.

Also represented were state legislatures; civil society organizations; infrastructure providers; internet service providers; research and education institutions and professional associations among others. Shortly after the all day interactive event, Emmanuel Elebeke cornered  Dr. John Dada, CEO of Fantsuam Foundation and Chairman of the BB4NG Project Team to speak on the essence of the programme and what Nigeria stands to benefit  from it.

In the course of the conversation, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, ATCON President, added his voice, and opined that the availability of broadband will greatly help reduce poverty in the land through employment generation. Excerpts:

Looking at the theme of the event, Broadband  for Nigeria, how would you explain the meaning of the theme to an average Nigerian?

BB4NG is all about the provision of affordable and efficient access to the world wide web for all Nigerians. If you are going to be a democratic government that wants to equitable distribution of wealth to its people, then you must think of how you reach everybody.

And since, the government is not in the direct implementation, it is the private sector that can do this. It is for the government to give incentives to the private sector to reach those places to which government on its own wouldn’t have reached.
What would you say the forum is targeted to achieve?

The forum is aimed at (more from The Vanguard )

Previously on Dadamac's Posterous
August 4th 2010 From John Dada - Broad Band 4NiGeria in the News (with photo)
July 24th 2010 Online and F2F Invitation reminder - Broadband for Nigeria (BB4NG) Stakeholders’ Forum - 28th July 2010