Juwah to enthrone Internet-based economy

The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Eugene Ikemefuna Juwah has said that the telecommunication regulatory agency is working towards enthroning an internet-driven economy in the country.

Welcoming the board of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) led by the Dr. Isaac Odeyemi, who were on courtesy visit in his office, Juwah said that the aim of NCC is to work out the modalities for introducing an internet e economy.

He said that the Commission will soon invite stakeholders to fine-tune the concept sequel to the full implementation.

“We will involve all stakeholders,” he assured and congratulated the executive board members who were elected last August for paying him a visit.

He expressed delight that NCC has been giving support to NIRA and to the likes of Nigeria Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), stressing that what the Commission wants at this time in point is to concentrate on building broadband technology for the populace.

Juwah said that NCC also has some programmes to deepen the adoption of technology as it has development partnership with various government agencies and states towards making the Internet available to the citizens.

“Our aim is to introduce Internet economy,” he declared.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Odebeyi congratulated the NCC boss on his appointment as the new chief executive officer of the telecom apex body, saying that the contributions the Commission made in the last 10 years, has shown that the nation can actually move forward.

He also told Juwah that NiRA wants the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) .ng to be a preferred domain in the country among Nigerians and Internet enthusiasts particularly.

NiRA, he said, is pleased to have a director in the NCC, Mrs. Mary Uduma as its new president, whom he noted has been active since the inauguration of the association following the harmonization of all interest groups that give birth to NiRA.

Odeyemi used the visit to urge the new EVC to fast-track the release of NiRA’s subvention for 2010.

Also speaking, NiRA President, Mrs. Uduma said that as part of the 50 years anniversary celebration, her organisation has advanced plans to give out for free 50,000 domain names on .ng.

Earlier, Mrs. Uduma who was accompanied by some members of the executive board including Messrs Sola Bickersteth, Biyi Oladipo and Remmy Nweke, and secretary to the board of trustees, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, equally paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. (Mrs) Dora Akunyili at the Radio House, Abuja to intimate her of the NiRA’s strategy in making internet accessible to all Nigerians, especially in contributing to the Rebranding Nigeria Project and 50th independence celebration, through the free 50,000 domain names on .ng for 50 days.

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