Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has expressed his government’s readiness to leverage on the high technological innovation and services offered by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, (NIGCOMSAT) to advance its e-governance and other digital inclusion strategies.
The governor disclosed this when he hosted the management of NIGCOMMSAT, led by its Managing Director, Mrs Abimbola Alale who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Tuesday.
Yahaya who underscored the importance of Information communications technology in sustainability of development, said his administration right from day-one, developed an ICT blueprint where it keyed into the federal government’s digitization agenda.
He added that plans have already reached advanced stage for the establishment of Gombe State Information Technology Development Agency.
According to the governor, with NIGCOMMSAT’S setting up of its North East Regional office in Gombe, the satellite operator would have in the state government a partner in its broadband and other broadcast services.
“For us, the order of the day is for everyone to go digital. That is why during the transition period prior to my inauguration as the state Governor, I set up a committee on Information Communication Technology under the chairmanship of Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, when he was then, the DG of NITDA to help us fashion out a digital technology plan and strategy that will engender efficiency and effectiveness in our governance and support our teeming youth to take advantage of the ICT to advance their knowledge and socio-economic activities”, governor Yahaya recalled.
While appreciating the efforts of NIGCOMSAT in trying to change the fortunes of his people for the better through her services, Yahaya assured of his administration’s support to facilitate the setting up of the company’s regional office in Gombe.
“We are going to patronise you as you do your business here, which I believe will come with a lot of opportunities for our people, especially with covid-19 and its consequential restrictions and protocols”, he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Abimbola Alale, commended the efforts of the Governor in bringing Innovation to the governance of Gombe state.
She said their broadband and satellite services would further support the Governor’s digitization and e-governance drive.
Alale noted that, NIGCOMSAT Limited, which owns and operates the Nigerian Communications Satellite systems is opening its North east regional office in Gombe.
According to her, the establishment of the office will create a lot of opportunities for the people of the state in terms of manpower development, business, e-learning, tele medicine services and e-governance among others.
The Managing Director said the company will partner with the state ministry of science and technology and other companies that may spring up on account of the presence of NIGCOMSAT in Gombe on all ICT related businesses and activities.
