The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta at the weekend in Lagos, received the Platinum Award of the Nigeria Academy of Engineering (NAEng.) for his leadership roles in the telecom sector and its improving contributions to the nation’s economic growth.
The President of the Academy, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, during the award presented by the former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Vincent Maduka, said that the Commission deserved the award based on its regulatory strides in the telecom sector and promotion of engineering drive through support to the academy.
Maduka said: “Prof. Danbatta has contributed immensely to the sustainability of all initiatives of the professional body, just as his role to the development of engineering profession in general is being felt in Nigeria, through his effective regulation of the telecommunications sector.”
Danbatta, a professor of electrical and electronics engineering, who is a member of Council and a Fellow of NAEng, while receiving the award, expressed appreciation to the illustrious institute for considering the Commission worthy of the award.
The EVC dedicated the award to the ‘hardworking and diligent staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission’, who, he said, had continued to demonstrate commitment to supporting his vision to promote regulatory excellence toward sustaining growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“I could not have done the good work you credited me with, without the support and cooperation of NCC staff and we are delighted that the public is watching, listening and observing what we are doing and a testimony to this fact is the platinum category award we have just been given by the apex engineering body in the country.
“I want to assure the public that the NCC will do whatever it can, within its mandates, to bring out impactful initiatives that will drive the digital transformation process that will ultimately make telecom services pervasive and affordable to all parts of the country.”
Danbatta also spoke on some of the initiatives, especially those targeted at youth empowerment and digital tools provision and skills’ upgrade, of the Commission that had become crucial to the socio-economic development of the nation.
The industry regulator assured the commission’s continued commitment to driving digital connectivity aimed at bridging extant clusters of access gaps in Nigeria.
On the NCC management’s medium term target, he said: “We have a target of 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025, as contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP). We are around 50 per cent currently and I can assure you that we are hopeful that we will achieve and surpass that target.”
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering was established to pursue excellence in science, technology and engineering as well as provide a national platform for experts to harness their experiences and insights and make input into public and private technical policy.
Photo Caption
L-R: Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Vincent Maduka, past President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng); Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, President, NAEng; Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) NCC; Abraham Oshadami, Director, Spectrum Administration, NCC; Hafiz Shehu, Chief of Staff to the EVC, NCC; at the Academy’s 2023 Technology Dinner where Danbatta received Platinum Appreciation Award last Wednesday in Lagos
