Chairman, Zinox
Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, has declared broadband as the freedom to succeed in
21st century, reports DigitalSENSE Business
News.
Addressing
participants at the recently held telecom conference hosted by Nokia Networks,
Dr. Ekeh told DigitalSENSE
Business News, that improved broadband penetration has the potential of
creating wealth and unlocking huge opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
He also informed DigitalSENSE Business
News that it broadband would fast-track the nation’s economic development.
Ekeh noted that
enhanced broadband access will equip majority of Nigerians with the freedom to
succeed in today’s digital society.
“With increased
deployment of broadband and more equitable access for the majority, huge
opportunities will be created for self-development in the country. Just
consider the effect this will have on the cost of doing business and the
unlimited resources it will place at our disposal,” he said, stressing that presently,
a lot of people do not see these opportunities due to the current
infrastructural challenges being faced in the sector and the slow pace of ICT
uptake in Nigeria.
Ekeh, who was the chairman
of the telecom conference 2015, revealed that Nigeria’s population and cultural
realities make the country a potentially lucrative market for broadband
deployment, while calling for a synergy of the government and the private
sector in making this a reality.
“We must up the tempo
because the market is a very huge one. The digital divide must be bridged and
access must become a basic human right for everyone in this country. Government
has a critical role to play in this regard. With liberalized band-width allocation,
investor-friendly policies and enabling environment for private sector
involvement, the multiplier effect of broadband deployment is unquantifiable
and will rapidly transform Nigeria into a digital economy,” he said.
Dr. Ekeh went on to cite
infrastructural deficiencies, security issues, multiple taxation and poor
network quality as some of the factors hampering mobile broadband operators in
Nigeria.
Ekeh, whose Zinox
Technologies has deployed some of the biggest ICT projects in the country,
encouraged participants to see the current challenges as temporary obstacles
which will be surmounted with time, noting that Nigeria is a prime investment
destination on the continent.
The conference, with
the theme Connect Nigeria: Exploring ICT
potential for growth, featured a panel discussion involving representatives
of major players in the industry including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matt Wilshire; Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr.
Segun Ogunsanya; MTN’s Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Wale Goodluck and
Nokia’s Head of Central, East and West African sub-region, Mr. David Gaul.
+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +zinox technology +Nokia
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