By Nnamdi Ojiego

Activities towards the hosting of the West African ICT Congress, WAFICT, and the West African International Telecommunications exhibition, W.Afri.Tel, have received a boost with the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev, accepting to deliver a keynote paper at the event.

Sachdev who spoke at his office in Abuja when he played host to the Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang, remarked that Nigeria’s enviable ranking as the fastest growing mobile phone market in Africa conferred on her, the leadership position that needs to be fully harnessed by all stakeholders.

Describing the WAFICT Congress and the W.Afri.Tel exhibition as contributing immensely to the development of the sub_region, the High Commissioner noted that India, as a partner to Nigeria, was ready to support the aspirations of Nigeria especially as encapsulated in the Vision 20-2020 programme of the federal government. According to him, telecommunications would continue to be a major driver in achieving the vision.

Sachdev, who inaugurated the Indian Pavilion, which made its debut at W.Afri.Tel last year said he would encourage as many Indian companies as possible to tap into the opportunities in Nigeria thereby contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

Incidentally, India’s Airtel, which is the world’s fifth leading telecommunications company, is platinum sponsor for WAFICT Congress 2011.

Briefing the High Commissioner on preparations for this year’s conference and exhibition, Abang stated that broadband will be at the core of discussions at the conference, while exhibitors and delegates would have rare opportunities to see latest technologies, value added services and products from telecom operators from across the world.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has adopted the WAFICT Congress 2011 as the platform to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the telecom revolution in Nigeria. To this end, the Minister of Information and Communications, Hon. Labaran Maku, has endorsed the conference and urged mobile companies, Internet Service Providers, government agencies and establishments, telecom operators and other stakeholders to support the events and join the ministry in giving a voice to Nigeria’s achievements in telecom.