Digital technology drives innovation and creates job opportunity which leads to economic prosperity.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami while making his speech at the Launch of National Policy on VSAT Installation Core Skills for Nigerians and Flag-Off of the Policy Implementation through Training of 600 Youth Nationwide.
Pantami reiterated that on the 28th of November, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari launched a National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria; developed by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy aimed at developing and promoting the digital economy for Nigeria.
He said that the Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat–1R) is one of the critical national (solid) infrastructures under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy that can be leveraged to deepen broadband penetration and to deliver Direct to Home (DTH) Services in the country.
“However, this can only be actualized through the deployment of Very Small Aperture terminals (VSAT). Further digital content is also delivered to homes via the Television Receive Only (TVRO) antennas and decoders. To effectively deploy Satellite-based services, training and re-training of Nigerians on VSAT installation, TVRO Antenna Installation and configuration of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is therefore required to enhance the process, Pantami said.
The Minister said that addressing the capacity gap in the delivery of satellite-based services is therefore now considered as an urgent imperative to improve the quality of life in communities, especially in remote and rural areas where most of the population are situated.
“This program would provide the required specialized skills for the promotion and deployment of satellite-based services in Nigeria.
“Nigerians would be equipped with the necessary skills to be able to install a VSAT and TVRO antenna anywhere to access all available satellite-based services.
“At the first instance we are commencing the Policy Implementation in the six-geo political zones with 600 youths that will benefit and become certified after the programme and subsequently we will continue this training until we achieve the required human resource needed for the growing satellite industry in Nigeria, Pantami reiterated.
The first phase of training is taking place at the following States:
1. North West: Kano and Kebbi
2. North East: Gombe and Bauchi
3. North Central: Niger and Plateau
4. South West: Ekiti and Lagos
5. South East: Abia and Anambra
6. South South: Rivers and AkwaIbom
Pantami said that the Ministry’s target is to also spread the skills acquisition program nationwide, so that whenever engagement is required for such services, they are found in each and every state of the country.
“The VSAT training program will bring great benefits to and empower our youths which will eventually reduce the levels of poverty and criminal activities. It also engages and challenges the youth to become productive and useful to their immediate environment.
“The training curriculum has been carefully designed in such a way that the required skills are easily transferred. Although basic communication satellite knowledge will be learnt during the program, we took a unique approach that will concentrate on skills rather than theory to ensure that our ultimate goal of skill acquisition is achieved.
“It is important to note that our approach is not only to transfer the skills, but we are committed to empowering the beneficiaries by providing the required VSAT Installation tools, digital equipment and startup packages as part of this Policy implementation program.
He restated that the Ministry’s goal is to ensure the communication satellite industry is empowered and strengthen to be at par with other global leading satellite industries through enabling Policies for the benefit of the Nigerians. It is important to note that this Policy envisions that VSAT Installation Core Skills goes beyond learning installation techniques, but also ensuring service satisfaction for clients and compliance with established regulations.
He encouraged Nigerians to utilize this opportunity and build their skills in these specialized areas and also encouraged the youth to empower themselves with these skills and participate in building a workforce for the satellite Industry in conformity with globally accepted standards, thereby creating more job opportunities for themselves.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the board, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) Architect Yusuf Kazaure said that the Launching of the National Policy on VSAT core skills for Nigerians and the flag-off of the policy implementation is first of its kind in the history of satellite communication developmental process in Nigeria.
“Today’s event is coming at a time when Nigeria as a nation is leveraging on the digital technologies to drive government digital services, optimizing the communications infrastructure for National Economic Development and digital innovation to create value and prosperity, Architect Kazaure said.
He further said that as part of the mandate of the Ministry to promote and facilitate the development of the ICT, promote domestic software applications and to enhance digital literacy and skill; National Policy on VSAT core skills for Nigerians and the flag-off of the policy implementation is considered paramount to Nigeria’s National Technological Development.
“It is important to note that Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy have policies and programmes which have been developed towards building capacity mostly especially among the youth.
“Today’s programme actually falls in line with three of the Ministry’s policy documents i.e National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy, National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content, and National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy which has 8 pillars out of which 3 pillars are applicable to the launch of the National Policy on VSAT core skills for Nigerians.
He further said that the launching would play a critical role in the implementation of the National Broadband Plan as VSAT would be used to cover all the unserved and underserved rural areas in the country.
Given the untapped nature of a lot of this capacity, a programme like VSAT training proves invaluable to most of the young in terms of harnessing competence and presenting them with the opportunities for exposure and business acumen, while at the same time driving the development of a digital Nigeria.
He restated that NIGCOMSAT will continue to anchor and promote laudable programme of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy towards building a digital Nigeria and creating an enabling environment for innovative start-ups through innovative training like this.
In her vote of thanks, the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs. Abimbola Alale thanked the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Pantami for the time, moral supports and the opportunity bestowed on NIGCOMSAT to anchor the VSAT training programme.
The National Policy on VSAT Core skills for Nigerians and the flag-off of the Policy implementation would be engaging over 600 youths in different region of the country.
