Misinformation may derail 5G deployment says Danbatta - ITREALMS

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The misinformation and misrepresentation of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology has the potential of derailing the launch and full implementation in Nigeria, warned the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, reports ITREALMS.

In his opening address at the capacity building programme for members of the Abuja chapter of Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), held at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Abuja, Prof. Danbatta on Tuesday noted that many Nigerians including citizens in more civilized countries were hooked on the notion that the introduction of 5G technology was the reason behind the spread of the novel COVID-19 Pandemic.
This misconception, he said, was even made worse because those saddled with the responsibility of informing, educating and enlightening the average Nigerian telecom consumers were also bereft of the knowledge of this new technology and hitched a ride on the band wagon of doubters.

"This is the reason why training such as this is necessary for members of NITRA who have continued to cover the ICT industry in Nigeria," he said.

Danbatta who was represented at the occasion by teh Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, assured that NCC would maintain this training periodically for crucial stakeholders in the media to ensure that the information that reaches the average Nigerian is accurate and timely.

"It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that whatever we want to introduce to the Nigerian telecoms space is well understood by Nigerians and all those who make use of our telecoms services," he said.

Also, he said that the onus is on all of stakeholders including the media to make sure that "we take this training seriously and take advantage of it to expand on our horizons."

Pointing out that this is very necessary so that when "we report events or activities relating to the industry, we are able to translate them into a language that the common man will readily understand."

The Commission, he said, will continue to support capacity building and other initiatives which foster closer interaction and build stronger relationship with your members.

"I therefore enjoin you to continue to be objective in your reportage to ensure that all our stakeholders benefit from the knowledge you will acquire during this meaningful training programme," he advised.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

Pix: L-R: Grace Ojougboh, Head, Online Media & Special Publications, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Usma Malah, Director, Human Capital and Administration; Blessing Olaifa, Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter; Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, President/Chief Executive Officer, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI); Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC; Usman Mamman, Head, Human Capital, NCC; Bashir Bello, Head, Legislative & Government Relations, NCC and Truddy Tony-Awusaku, Principal Manager, Public Affairs, NCC,during the opening ceremony of the capacity building in at DBI, Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.