FG inaugurates 19-man Broadband Council

Mrs Johnson middle flanked by members of the council

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 19-man Broadband Council to see to the implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Broadband, which recently submitted its report.

Conducting the inauguration in her officer of the President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, Tuesday, July 16, said the Broadband Council is chaired by herself, while members will work on implementation modalities for the newly developed and approved Nigerian National Broadband plan for the period 2013 - 2018.

The inauguration of the Broadband council, Mrs. Johnson told ITRealms, represents an important and significant milestone in the implementation roadmap of the national broadband plan. 

According to her, the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Broadband Council include providing periodic reports on the progress of the plan, facilitating the coordination and collaboration of the various stakeholders during plan implementation, ensuring that relevant agencies, institutions, and the general public are actively engaged.

“Where necessary the Council shall highlight adjustment areas where needed in the execution of the strategy and roadmap,” she said.

The Broadband Council, Mrs. Johnson, pointed out, has both institutional, government and individual representation, adding that institutional representation is to ensure that the requirements of the industry are taken into consideration; such institutions are ATCON, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria.

On individual representations, she said, comprised of highly knowledgeable people who are extremely credible in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry and have shown a great passion to see to the deployment of robust broadband infrastructure in the country including the two former co-chairmen of the recently concluded Presidential Committee on Broadband, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Mr. Jim Ovia.

Google and Microsoft, she said, represent a small section of the international partners strongly positioned to advance the broadband agenda, while the government institutions that have the direct mandate to deliver broadband to the country were also included namely the Ministry, NCC, USPF and NITDA.

Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Efem Nkanga confirmed to ITRealms that the members of the Broadband Council are Dr. Ernest Ndukwe-Chairman Openmedia Group, Mr Jim Ovia-Chairman of Visafone, Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Ms Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer, Main One Cable Company, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, Managing Consultant, Telecom Answers Associates, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo-Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications.

Equally on the council is Mr Ademola Aladekomo, President, Nigeria Computer Society, Mr Bayo Banjo-President, Nigeria Internet Group, Mr Lanre Ajayi-President, Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria, Mr Abdullahi Maikano-Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund, Mrs Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor-Country Manager, Google Global Services Nigeria Limited, Mr Junaid Dikko-Director, Etisalat, Mr. Mohammed Rudman-Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Mr Ayoola Oke-Managing Partner, Ayoola Babatunde Oke& Co, Engr John Ayodele-Director, Ministry of Communication Technology, Mr Emmanuel Onyeje, Microsoft and Mr Jinmi Sonuga, principal consultant-Business Unusual Ltd.

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