Chairman of Openmedia  Group, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe has been recognised by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, for his contribution to global information technologies and the work of the ITU.

The recognition was conveyed to Ndukwe in a letter signed by ITU Secretary-General, Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure.

In the letter, Toure underscored the leading role Ndukwe has played at home and abroad, for his immense contribution in the global sphere of information and technology.

The ITU is a specialised agency of the United Nations created to encourage international cooperation in all forms of telecommunication and the recognition of Ndukwe by the ITU therefore speaks volume of his landmark achievement in Nigeria’s telecoms industry, particularly for organising a hitch-free GSM license auctioning in 2001, an event that ushered in the much-cherished telecommunications revolution in Nigeria.

In his acceptance speech, Ndukwe noted that the recognition was a further call to the development of ICT in Africa and greater service to humanity.

He pledged to devote effort to broadband development in Africa given its importance to the continent’s socio-economic development. He disclosed that “we have recently founded a new project, the Broadband Rights Advocacy Network – Africa.

This is to preserve the rights of everyone in Africa to broadband Access”, noting that “in Nigeria, we are lucky that President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson are strong advocates of pervasive Broadband development in Nigeria”.

He pledged to “continue to serve the nation & the ITU in the drive to make digital natives of everyone in Africa”.

Ndukwe holds the national honour of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, OFR.