Minister Inaugurates Broadband Council

Following the approval of the country's broadband policy and its formal presentation to industry stakeholders, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has finally inaugurated the Broadband Council that will drive its implementation. The council, which was inaugurated in Abuja, is made up of 19 members and is chaired by the Johnson. The members will work on implementation modalities for the newly developed and approved Nigerian National Broadband plan for the period 2013 - 2018.

The inauguration of the council represents an important and significant milestone in the implementation roadmap of the national broadband plan.

Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mrs. Efem Nkanga, who made the disclosure, said the terms of reference of the council included providing periodic reports on the progress of the plan, facilitating the coordination and collaboration of the various stakeholders during plan implementation, ensuring that relevant agencies, institutions, and the general public are actively engaged. "Where necessary the council shall highlight adjustment areas where needed in the execution of the strategy and roadmap," she said.

The broadband council has both institutional, government and individual representation. Institutional representations include, the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN). Individual representations are knowledgeable Nigerians that are well grounded in the ICT industry and have shown a great passion for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the country. They include the two former co-chairmen of the recently concluded Presidential Committee on Broadband, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Mr. Jim Ovia. Google, Chairman Openmedia Group and Chairman of Visafone, respectively and Microsoft represent a small section of the international partners strongly positioned to advance the broadband agenda.

The government institutions that have the direct mandate to deliver broadband to the country are also included namely the ministry, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The members of the broadband council are: Ndukwe, Ovia; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah; Chief Executive Officer, Main One Cable Company, Ms. Funke Opeke; Managing Consultant, Telecom Answers Associates, Titi Omo-Ettu; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo and President, Nigeria Computer Society, Mr Ademola Aladekomo.

Others include President, Nigeria Internet Group, Mr Bayo Banjo; -President, Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria, (ATCON), Mr Lanre Ajayi; Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Mr. Abdullahi Maikano; Country Manager, Google Global Services Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor ; Director, Etisalat, Mr Junaid Dikko; Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Rudman; Managing Partner, Ayoola Babatunde Oke & Co, Mr Ayoola Oke; Director, Ministry of Communication Technology, John Ayodele; member of the Zinox Group, Mr Emmanuel Onyeje; and Principal Consultant, Business Unusual Limited, Mr. Jimi Sonuga.

Emma Okonji -  This Day