Jonathan commends AVCNU, CWG-led consortium on NgREN

ITRealms:

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.

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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. Short URLs: goo.gl, mcaf.ee, cli.gs