FG, Microsoft Join Forces for IT Development

Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, minister of State for Science and Technology, has said that the ministry is determined to ensure that Science and Technology played crucial roles in the seven point agenda of this administration.

The minister said this while receiving in audience, the delegation from the Microsoft led by Mr. Emmanuel Onyeje, new country manager, Microsoft, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.

Bako said that Science and Technology being pivotal of nation’s building, would provide an impetus through which Nigeria would meet vision 2020 target and other developmental goals-noting that the nation would also meet other targets such as MDG and others.

The Minister, who commended the Microsoft, for planning to site an Innovation Training Centre in Abuja in collaboration with other partners, assured the organisation of Government’s support to provide necessary facilities that would enhance its take off. Bako Zaku said further that Government would also encourage the organization’s plan to develop software on

Course contents for Technology and polytechnic education in Nigeria adding that such a gesture by the organisation would not only enhance efficient technology education in Nigeria, but would also increase productivity in the sector.

The Minister while commenting on the Computer- for- all Nigerians Initiative (CANI) said that the programme is on course noting that efforts are in the making to ensure that the generality of Nigeria is accessible to computers at affordable prices.

"We are looking at the possibility of reducing the prices of computers and laptops so that an average Nigerian could afford it" he stated.

Earlier Onyeje said that he was in the Ministry to solicit support of the Government in establishing Microsoft Innovation Training Centre in Abuja saying that Nigeria being a strategic partner in Africa would have more opportunity to train its citizen’s skills on IT development.

He also noted that the company intended to develop software on course contents of Polytechnic education in Nigeria for increased efficiency and effectiveness.