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President Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan has commended the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian
Universities (AVCNU), National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Computer
Warehouse Group (CWG plc)-led consortium on the establishment of the Nigerian
Research and Education Network (NgREN), reports ITRealms.
The president, represented at the occasion held in Abuja by the Minister
of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and were supported by Senator
Uche Chukwumerije, Senate Committee Chairman on Education, Honourable Aminu
Suleiman, House Committee Chairman on Education, Dr. Mrs. Omobola Johnson,
Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala,
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Senator Amadu Ali,
Chairman, NUC Board and Prof. Julius A. Okojie, Executive Secretary, NUC and
Chairman, NgREN board.
“As I join the
Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and the
National Universities Commission (NUC) in the celebration of this achievement
in the establishment of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), I
commend the individuals and groups that dedicated time and energy to make it a
reality,”
he said.
President Jonathan also
appreciated the World Bank for its support to the NgREN project, and the
Executive Secretary of the NUC for championing its cause and the hardworking
team of dedicated individuals from within the university system to realize this
dream.
He said that government
expects all education and research institutions to enlist as members of the
NgREN and that the current low ranking of Nigerian universities in quality of
teaching and research output will improve significantly within a short time as
a result.
Further, President
Jonathan urges NgREN stakeholders to ensure the broadband infrastructure and
services already provided are maintained and improved upon for the use of all
education and research institutions in Nigeria, while directing the Tertiary
Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Information Technology Development
Agency (NITDA) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to provide the necessary
funds for this purpose.
For Dr. Omobola Johnson
the major milestone in local technology advancement with a network of this
magnitude wholly designed by Nigerians, built by Nigerians and managed by
Nigerians. She specifically singled out CWG Plc, Resourcery Limited and Phase 3
Telecoms for commendation.
Commenting, CWG group
CEO, Mr. Austin Okere said his team has never doubted local capacity to deliver
major technology projects for government.
“We have matured in delivering projects of
this scale, and are grateful to the NUC and World Bank for the opportunity to
prove this with the timely delivery of the NgREN. We do look forward to the
opportunity of extending this success in the next phases of the project,” he
said.
Pix: Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education; Dr. Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology; Mallam Yakassai, Deputy Director, Public Relations, NUC and Mr. Phillip Obioha, Chief Operating Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc during the commissioning event of Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) recently in Abuja.
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