New CTO chief, Shola Taylor promises ‘improved access to ICTs’

Shola Taylor, the reputed Nigerian telecoms engineer, who has been appointed the secretary-general of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), has promised that on his watch, the body will pursue improved access to ICTs by member countries.

Nigeria is a key member of CTO, an international treaty organisation headquartered in London.

Following the announcement of his appointment, Taylor says “I am both excited and honoured at being appointed as secretary-general of the CTO, a community of diverse membership, and one that has accrued tremendous strength over a hundred years.”

According to Taylor, “Given the impact of ICTs in our lives and the enormous opportunities for the socio-economic development of nations, I have accepted this challenge to make a positive contribution towards improved access to ICTs for all. I look forward to working closely with the CTO’s members, the Secretariat staff and other stakeholders, to ensure that the CTO remains preferred partner for sustainable ICT development for all its member.”

[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”Mr Shola Taylor, new Secretary-General of Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO).”]“Given the impact of ICTs in our lives and the enormous opportunities for the socio-economic development of nations, I have accepted this challenge to make a positive contribution towards improved access to ICTs for all. I look forward to working closely with the CTO’s members, the Secretariat staff and other stakeholders, to ensure that the CTO remains preferred partner for sustainable ICT development for all its members.” [/blockquote]

mobile phone masts

Taylor, who is currently the chief executive officer of Kemilinks International, a global ICT consultancy firm based in Lagos, is a trained telecommunications engineer.

Nigeria’s Taylor is expected to bring his over 35 years of global experience in ICTs with government and private sector to the CTO.

Taylor holds a B.Sc. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of East London, UK in 1979 and M.Sc. in telecommunication systems from the University of Essex, UK in 1981.

Taylor was regional director for Africa at Immarsat between 1994 and 1999, space technology coordinator for developing countries at the International Communication Union (ITU) from 1993 to 1994 and project director at ITU from 1987 to 1993, spectrum engineer at Intelsat from 1985 to 1987 and senior engineer at Nigerian Telecommunications between 1981 and 1985. He was elected twice as a member of the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board (vice-chair in 2004 and chair in 2005).

Over the year, Taylor has developed a strong interest in the use of ICTs in sustainable development and has supported many governments in their development agenda for ICTs.