We Support Initiatives that Promote Universal Access for Nigerians – Danbatta

Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has reiterated NCC’s readiness to support any initiative aimed at ensuring universal access to telecommunication services by Nigerians.

Danbatta stated this during a courtesy visit to the Commission by the management of ChamsConsortium, a subsidiary of Chams Plc. The delegation from Chams was led by its Chairman, Sir. Ademola Aladekomo.

Aladekomo said the objective of the visit was to “discuss areas of collaboration with the NCC regarding a “national video relay service” which his company is pioneering to ensure Nigerians have increased access to telecoms services.

He also asked for NCC’s support on a proposed plan to set up Gallaudet University, a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher learning for the professional advancement of the deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing individuals in the society. Aladekomo said over 10 million Nigerians fall into that category.

Responding, Ubale Maska, executive commissioner, Technical Services, who received the ChamsConsortium team on behalf of the EVC, told Aladekomo and his team that NCC has been supporting various social initiatives for many years, and the Commission will continue to ensure that projects, programmes and requests for partnership that are connected with NCC’s mandates are reviewed and considered for necessary support within budgetary provisions.”

He told Aladekomo that the issue of setting up a university is outside the mandate of the NCC but the Commission would be willing to have a formal proposal sent to it by Chams regarding the “national video relay service” so that the Management of the Commission can review it appropriately.

“As a Commission, we have a mandate to ensure availability of universal services in all nooks and crannies of the country in order to ensure that all Nigerians regardless of their circumstances and locations have access to telecoms services, either voice or data, and we are committed to the fulfilment of this mandate,” Maska said.