Ndukwe, Father of Telecoms Gets ITU Honours

Ernest Ndukwe, father of modern telecommunications in Nigeria and chairman of the Openmedia Group, has been recognised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for his contribution to global information and technologies and the work of the ITU.

The recognition was conveyed to Ndukwe in a letter signed by  Hamadoun I. Toure, secretary-general of the ITU, which underscored the leading role he has played at home and abroad, but specifically for his immense contribution in the global sphere of information and technology.

The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was created to encourage international cooperation in all forms of telecommunication.

Its activities include maintaining order in the allocation of radio frequencies, setting standards on technical and operational matters, and assisting countries in developing their own telecommunication systems.

The recognition of Ndukwe by the ITU therefore speaks volume of the landmark of his achievement in the Nigeria’s telecoms industry particularly for organising a hitched-free GSM license auctioning in 2001, an event which ushered in the much cherished telecommunications revolution in Nigeria.

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

He pledged to devote effort to Broadband development in Africa given that it is critical 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”. 

He further noted with delight that “in Nigeria, we are lucky that President Goodluck Jonathan and Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communications Technology are strong advocates of pervasive Broadband development in Nigeria”. He therefore pledged to “continue to serve the nation & the ITU in the drive to make digital natives of everyone in Africa”.

Ndukwe, who is no stranger to local and international honours hold the national honour of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR).

He is the immediate past Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and has over 36 years experience in the telecommunications industry.

He is currently the Chairman of Openmedia Group which recently organised a hugely successful “International Forum on Accelerating Nationwide Broadband Access in Nigeria”.