The Cloud Network Foundation (CNF) has been launched in Nigeria to drive ICT advocacy for growth and development in the country, the nation’s top ICT media pioneers promoting the Foundation said.
Mr. Abimbola Tooki, CNF Chairman, who said this in a statement says that CNF will promote programmes that drive skills acquisition and capacity building among youths, and also push for policy that encourages local content in ICT development in Nigeria.
The Foundation, Mr. Tooki says, “which is made of the first 11 in ICT journalism in Nigeria, is worried that, among others, policy direction and implementation in the country has primarily neglected local content development and the creation of the requisite skills and enablement for Nigeria’s teeming youth to excel in the ICT ecosystem.”
“We can move from a consuming nation to a producing one in a few years in the ICT ecosystem, and over 20 million of our youths can be lifted out of poverty every year if they have the right information, guidance, enabling environment, and skills at their disposal if we take the right steps.”
Mr Abimbola Tooki, Chairman of Cloud Network Foundation (CNF).
CNF Chairman: Nigeria can tap ICT potential with the right policies
The Foundation’s Chairman who said this at its inaugural meeting says that Nigeria has so much untapped potential that, when harnessed by the provision of the right policies and strategies, could replicate another Silicon Valley in California, the United States to Bangalore in India.
“We can move from a consuming nation to a producing one in a few years in the ICT ecosystem, and over 20 million of our youths can be lifted out of poverty every year if they have the right information, guidance, enabling environment, and skills at their disposal if we take the right steps,” the CNF Chairman says.
If the government prioritised integrating technology (ICT) infrastructure into public service delivery to promote growth-oriented policies, Mr. Tooki says “it would be easier for all tiers and arms of government to collaborate to pull Nigerians out of poverty.”
CNF promises to provide an influential voice for stakeholders in the media, business community, and government on the benefits of ICT in economic growth and national development, according to Mr. Tooki.
According to him, the Foundation will also promote multidisciplinary collaboration and interdisciplinary initiatives on ICT to foster the creation, usage, and sharing of knowledge in the fields of ICT for national development.
Also speaking at the body’s inauguration, Mr. Don Pedro Aganbi, CNF Foundation says further that industry stakeholders should look forward to the Foundation’s resolve to ensure a more active ICT industry in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the CNF announced in the statement that its election which produced the Chairman and Vice Chairman also elected the following other officials: Olubayo Abiodun (Secretary); Ufuoma Emuophedaro, (Treasurer), and Ayo Makinde, as Publicity Secretary.
Aganbi says that CNF will ensure that all operators wake up to their responsibilities of delivering quality services to Nigerians while fostering a friendly environment for all.
Other members of the fully registered non-political, non-religious and non-profit organisation include award-winning and pioneering ICT journalists including Aaron Ukodie, Mkpe Abang, Bayero Agabi, Bunmi Idowu, Enyi Moses, Ken Nwogbo, Biyi Fasoyin, Tayo Adewusi, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Shina Badaru, among others.
The CNF stated that it will also work with educational institutions at all levels in advancing the usage and adoption of ICT in learning and educational endeavours, and providing an effective voice for stakeholders in the media, business community and government on the benefits of ICT in economic growth and national development.
CNF will also promote research in diverse segments of ICT, develop professionals in ICT Journalism, and promote multidisciplinary collaboration and interdisciplinary initiatives on ICT to foster the creation, usage, and sharing of knowledge in the fields of ICT for national development.
Cloud Network Foundation has an active online presence, with a dedicated website on www.cloudnetwork.ng and social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
