Fayemi And The Task Of Reengineering #Ekiti #DigitalEconomy Potentials

By Abiodun Borisade

#DIGITALEKITI, #GIGABYTESEKITI, #EKITICONNECTED, THE #HASHTAGS ARE UNENDING SO CAN THE DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIALS THAT BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE BRINGS TO #EKITI.

Within Hours Of Governor Fayemi Signing Executive Order 007 Of 2020, The Federal Minister Of Communications And Digital Economy (Dr Isa Ali Pantami) Came Out Chest Beating On His Tweeter Handle Saying “This Is Highly Commendable, By My Brother @Kafayemi. He Promised And Delivered. Best Wishes”.

Fighting Fit, For An Individual Who Has Beyond A Peripheral Understanding Of The “Nigerian National Broadband Plan” ((The Digital Strategic Plan For 2020 – 2025)), That “Immodest” Comment By Dr Isa Ali Pantami About Dr Fayemi Really Does Necessitate A Deeper Reflection On The Visionary Posit Of The Fayemi Led Ekiti State Government And The Concept Of KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY (One Of The Governance Pillars Of JKF Administration).

Worthy Of Note Here That The Infamous Ado Ekiti Flyover Bridge Constructed By The Previous Administration In Ekiti Set The Clocks Of Digital Development Backwards, As The Absence Of Any Proper Environmental Impact Assessment Pre-Construction Led To Millions Of Naira Worth Fiber Optics Cable Been Destroyed!!!

Cognizant Of The Changing Global Financial Climate Of 21st Century Economy, Digitalization And Application Of Information And Communication Technology(ICT) Has Become A Potent Tool That Can Reengineer Nigeria In Particularly Ekiti’s Economy, Making It Stronger And Capable Of Competing Favorably Globally, Ultimately Reducing Dependence On Crude Oil Economy Hence Freedom From Dependence On The Monthly Federal Allocation To States Of The Federation.

Several Success Stories Of Economies Based On Intelligentsia Can Be Referenced, Including The Renowned Silicon Valley In California USA, The Chinese Model And Even The Outsourcing Of Manufacturing Jobs By European Countries As A Result Of Them Wanting To Focus More On The Cognitive Conceptualization Aspects Of Creation As Against The Physical/Manual Aspect Of Wealth Creation. Taking Prompt From This, Ekiti State Government’s Leadership Of Governor Kayode Fayemi Has Taken A Giant Leap By Taking Concrete Steps In Linking Ekiti To The Information Super Highway.

The Silver Bullet For Actualizing The Onerous Task Lies Not Only In The Government Having The Political Will, But Importantly Having Willing And Capable Partners. Sequel To The Governor Creating An Enable Environment (By Executive Order 007 Of 2020) An Attractive Opportunity For Ease Of Doing Business Wasn’t To Be Missed By Any Serious Telecom Investor.

The First Viable Investor To Bite Into The Pie On Offer Is OODUA INFRACO Resource Ltd. The Company Had From Its Inception Demonstrated Intent. The Nigerian Communication Company (NCC) Licensed O’odua Infraco Ltd (OIRL) In 2018 To Provide And Operate On A Wholesale Basis On Open Access Metropolitan Fiber Network In The South West Area Of Nigeria. The License Has Tenure Of 20years And Subject To Automatic Renewal.

OODUA INFRACO Resource Ltd Represented By The Company’s Chairman And CEO Mr Sammy Adigun Expressed In Unambiguous Terms During The Contractual Signing Ceremony Passion Borne Out Of Altruistic Mind Set And Hopes To Convert Ekiti To An ICT Epicenter Being Their First Hurl In Southwest Nigeria In Accordance To His Company Profile. Amongst Their Immediate Plans Include Laying Fiber Optic Cables Across The Nooks And Cranny Of Ekiti, To Build The State A Digital Hub, Where ICT And Fibre Optic Broadband Will Become The Nerve Centre Of Economic Prosperity. http://ooduainfraco.com/index.php/about-us

With This Highly Dexterous And Astute Action, Governor Fayemi Has Begun The Path And Pact To Economic Renaissance In Ekiti That Will Facilitate Revenue Generation, Job Creation And Provision Of Information That Can Expose The Populace To Global Opportunities Using The ICT Instrumentality, Because Information Is Power, Knowledge And Wealth.

While Speaking At The Signing Of The Mou In Ado Ekiti, Governor Fayemi Explained That The Project Will Take About 14 Months Before Completion While Assuring Residents Of The State That The Process Will Not Stop Until The Project Sees The Light Of Day. He Said The Project Will Be Monitored Up To The Implementation Stage Through The ICT Steering Committee Set Up By The Government To Oversee ICT State Projects.

Fayemi, Who Urged The Company To Work In Accordance To Industry Standards Said The 606 Km Broadband Network Will Open Up Economic Opportunities Of The State And Make It A Truly Digital Hub And Preferred State For Investment.

He Explained That The Executive Order 007, Which Mandated A Crash In The Right Of Way Charges Of Telecommunications Infrastructure From N4,500 To N145 Per Kilometer, Was Conceptualized To Spur The Digital Economic Focus Of Government And Has Started Manifesting Positive Result As Many Internet Providers Have Shown Interest And Readiness To Invest In The State.

Reeling Out How The Five Billion Naira Investment Will Be Co-Funded , Adigun Said The Federal Government Will Pay A Sum Of One Billion Naira, While Ekiti State Government Will Provide Landed Property For The Project. Adigun Explained That The Six Hundred And Six Kilometres Internet Network Construction Would Commence October This Year. The Project Which He Said Will Be At No Cost To The Ekiti State Government Other Than To Provide Enabling Environment For The Project To Thrive, Is Expected To Be Completed Within Fourteen Months.