By Emmanuel Elebeke

THE National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has reiterated its readiness to implement the 2014 Universal Village report. The Director General of NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, told newsmen recently that the agency is determined to implement the report as plans are ongoing to come up with modalities of the implementation. According to NITDA, the decision was in line with its mandate to network with international organizations to positioning the nation on the threshold of Information Technology development.

The report had recommended for the establishment of Information Technology Innovation Labs (ITLABs) in secondary schools across the country to ensure the ICT gap noticed in tertiary Institutions are eliminated; application of technologies to reshape Nigeria’s communities capacities for global competitiveness, NITDA RITCs should be retooled to serve as ICT Outsourcing Centre and take off facilities to transform the ICT development Agenda and performance of NITDA to the communities.

Jack also said plans were under way to redefine the concept and broaden the scope of RITCs centre in order to meet with the demand of the 21st century information and communication technology challenges. He however, disclosed that the agency had set a target of establishing about 200,000 telecentres across the country to cover every ethnic group, adding that the goal would be accomplished through a well thought-out multi stakeholders’ partnership.

He revealed that the agency was considering changing the RITCs model to ‘a triangular business model’ which would consist of telecentres, corner shops and eateries. According to him, the idea would foster community relations and serve as center for integration for all users.

As part of the plan, he explained that the agency is currently collaborating with the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST to transform the post offices to digital centers to promote e-posting.

Jack said NITDA is equally partnering with Galaxy Backbones, the Nigeria Communication Satellite, Nigcomsat and other sister agencies to position ICT as a major catalyst for economic development and also engage it as driver to other sector of the economy.