By Gbenga Akingbule
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk on Thursday, applauded the North East Development Commission (NEDC), over the several intervention projects deployed to help rebuild and strengthen infrastructure destroyed in the last 13 years by Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister also assured the commission of its continued support so as to ensure that all parts of the North East benefit from its intervention projects.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo who represented the Minister at the occasion where certificates and starter- packs were presented to beneficiaries of the batch “C” ICT training programme in Maiduguri, the State capital.
The Minister, who noted that the NEDC is positively touching the lives of residents of the region, said the humanitarian interventions in Borno state will in no small measure make the state a reference point in terms of infrastructural and technological development.
“Seen is better than hearing; I have seen a strategic approach in solving current and future problems all in one combined swoop, by bringing interventions that are not just bringing succour to the immediate problems but they are catalytic in nature and they have a multiplier effect,” the Minister said.
The Minister noted that the NEDC intervention in ICT lis a clear indication that the Commission is preparing the people of the region for a positive future where ICT will play a vital role in empowering the people.
“Investing in ICT is a sign of foresight, that your children and people are prepared for the future . I commend NEDC for the selection of this strategy.
“Another strategic approach which I have seen, that has both the capacity to resolve the immediate problems of land -use and to change the paradigm of land -use and ownership into an asset that is both permernent and can be used to exchange goods and services, which is the investment in Borno Geographic Information System ( BOGIS).
“With your certificate, you still have your land permernent and can be used to exchange goods and services; including taking bank loans, collaterals that can give you access to financing. I’m bringing this out carefully so that we all see the nature in which NEDC is operating in the North East. Believe me, if these interventions are adequately documented, in the near future, the whole of Nigeria and other countries will come to learn from what we’re doing here in the North East,” the Minister said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NEDC, Alh. Mohammed Goni Alkali said 18 ICT centres have been constructed in all the North Eastern states with three centres in each state and its expected to train 10,000 youths annually.
“This will go a long way in improving access to IT resources within north east and empower many youths and make them self reliant,” Alkali said .
