Shittu Extends Partnership Handshake to Oracle Nigeria

Barrister Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communication, has re-echoed his determination on achieving the key focus areas which include, connectivity outreach targeted at deepening Internet penetration across the country and creating about two million jobs within the next six months.

The Minister made the remarks during a working visit to Oracle Nigeria, adding that such Organisations are occupy critical postions in creating an ICT university via the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and leading the postal (industry) transformation.

ICT University
He said that the ICT university has become inevitable for the development of manpowrr with requisite skills to drive the industry forward.

Shittu disclosed that the present DBI cited in Oshodi, Lagos State is equipped for the commencement of the University, adding, "We only need to fine tune the curriculum and get additional faculty, then, the university will be given enough support to commence".

NIPOST Reforms
Speaking on the NIPOST reform, he said that with 4000 facilities across the country, the post is well positioned to lead the financial inclusion policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through partnerships with commercial banks.

"Currently, NIPOST is a sort of sleeping giant that must be awake to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy. We are working assiduously to make the post work again. So, we need the collaboration of all stakeholders," he said.

He assured Sanni and other top management that Oracle's expertise will be required in ensuring transparent processes in Governance, "as every company will be given a fair ground to do business in the country.

Startup Incubation Hubs
Shittu promised that upon the budget 2016 Passage into law, the Ministry will vigorously pursue to course for the establishment of startup incubation hubs in four cities- Imo, Borno, Oyo and Katsina.

"Once the budget is approved, we are going to have four ICT hubs in Imo, Maiduguri,  Oyo and Katsina States. We believe that government has a duty to provide foundational infrastructure.

"My thinking is that our agencies make money yearly and they should sponsor these infrastructure as their contributions to social security in the country. During my time as the Minister,  government  will definitely assist hubs. Aside that, we are going to establish learning centers in high schools (secondary schools).

He charged the Oracle team that the Ministry remains responsive to good ideas.

While welcoming the Minister's entourage,  Mr. Adebayo Sanni, Country managing director, Oracle Nigeria, assured the team of Oracle's efforts in addressing skills gap in the ICT industry.

He said that though Oracle Academy, Nigeria Oracle User Group, and deployment of key solutions in public sector, the Company has demonstrated willingness to complement government's efforts to actualise set goals in the sector.

Sanni said that with over 150 Nigerian employees; over 100 local partners; and two offices in Nigeria, Oracle is competently driving over N15billlion in related projects and other initiatives across the country.

"We are working on ways to aid the Ministry fasttrack it's goals, especially by proposing for a workshop to review the priorities of the Ministry and how we can collaborate.

"We want to help the government save cost, thereby increasing revenue for the government. Also,  we understand the Minister's passion for creating the posts and establishing the ICT hubs," he said.

The Oracle's Boss reiterated the Company’s readiness to drive the Minister's vision for establishing learning centres in high schools, adding that the relevance of Oracle tools will come to bear as over 125 girls are already beneficiaries of similar programmes from Oracle.