Facilitating Knowledge & Community Development through ICT

2. Facilitating Knowledge & Community Development through ICT By Dr. Engr. Baba J Adamu, Ph.d President/CEO iNetworks Canada Director ArewaOnline www.inetworkscanada.com www.arewaonline-ng.com

3. WHAT IS ICT? • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a broad subject concerned with technology and other aspects of managing and processing information, particularly software, mobile applications, computer hardware & communication equipment. ICT systems are central to all sectors of the economy

4. Networking Management Software Database Knowledge Hardware Innovation For a knowledged-community (country) to have sustainable economic growth 3Ts must be present: Technology, Talent & Tollerance. ICT Related Services Information Technology (IT)

5. KNOWLEDGE – a community of interest Helping the ICT Cluster to link • ICT Companies • ICT-related companies • Partners in Value Chain • Universities/Colleges • ICT Projects/Institutions • Internet Revolution • Nigerian e-Gov

6. Public-Private Partnerships in e-Government • ICT can be a powerful tool in support of public sector reform agendas like the explosion of ‘eGov’ initiatives around the world or e-governance – e.g. real-estate, passport, skills training, women & youth empowerment • ICT digital revolution can strengthen democracy, increase inter-governmental transactions’ efficiency and make governments more responsive to the needs of their citizens and businesses • ICT can transform government by making it more accessible, effective and accountable whilst facilitating knowledge in Community development

7. How ICT can support all sectors of the economy & Facilitate Knowledge? • By establishing a dynamic and successful ICT cluster – the enabling environment • By using the Internet in business • Through healthcare & e-health solution • Through farm IT to assist in crop management and monitoring water usage • Though small scale processing industry & businesses • By focusing our industry development activities

8. Government Role in Developing Effective ICT Environment • Governments must provide context, framework and market mechanisms. • Policy uncertainty, macroeconomic instability, taxation and regulation issues and corruption inhibit economic development and investments. • It is not the lack of money but the abundance of risks, which prevents investments. • Capacity Building: human resources development, education, and training • Government must encourage entrepreneurship • The Government needs to create a National Broadband Strategy – Connect Nigeria

9. The Future of the Internet in Nigeria STRATEGY: - innovation & Creativity An Integrated Cascade of Choices Aspirations where Nigeria wants to be Creating the necessary Enabling Environment Are we there Yet!

10. Why is Innovation Important? • Markets more open while transport & communications costs are falling • Companies must compete on quality & value rather than price • Science & technology advancing faster than ever before (R&D) • Opportunities for entrepreneurial businesses to gain advantage • The 24/7 economy – the Internet • Consumer tastes changing more quickly • Innovation is vital for long-term survival & growth

11. The nature of TechnologyTechnological knowledge: patents, licenses, designs, rights not everything can be written down (“know-how”) Tacit Proprietary Cumulative Build on experience, doing by learning There are no free rides. Even exploiting others’ ideas requires innate capacities

12. The Innovation Environment • Better use of ICT is vital for all sectors & clusters to compete and grow

13. ICT Cluster Strategy ICT is now essential to smarter products & services, e-processes, simulation & modelling, collaboration

14. In Conclusion • Facilitating Knowledge & Community Development through ICT must consider: • ICT’ s integral capability in research and development of new innovations • And with innovation comes the ability to make a real difference to our national goals and communities • ICT can help us achieve a sustainable environment, ensure advances in healthcare, better manage our water, and further improve national security.

15. The Government's Role • The Government's long term vision must be for a nation with the capability to apply ICT across the economy to foster innovation and social wellbeing. • Enhancing teacher training and proposing measures for favoring the use of internet in schools and distance learning programs, including basic ICT skills training in schools and universities curricula. • Encourage/ promote/ and support ICT illiteracy eradication among children, with special attention to girls through special incentives for trainers, effort of NGOs and the private sector. • Conduct ICT skills training for government employees.

16. The Government's Role – cont. • Encourage international corporations operating in developing countries to devote percentage of working time of skilled human resources to free training of local civil society in ICT related subjects. • Develop free online training, as well as online database of training opportunities • Give special attention to ICT training of members of diplomatic missions who could act as good communicators/ conveyors of changes and developments in different Information Societies. • Increasing the opportunities of training/ education for women and people in underprivileged areas and the disabled. • Internet bandwidth & Networks and information systems should be robust to meet increasing demand and accessibility and to prevent, detect and respond to security incidents, as well as detect and prevent them

17. Upgrading the infrastructure • Upgrading Telecommunication infrastructure (3G) - Market liberalization, Clear regulation, Improving the connectivity, • Developing the National R&D network, Developing the Network of the State Administration, Internet access & the enhancing business processes using internet technology; Providing content and knowledge management - access to knowledge for everyone (including the disadvantaged); Integration of the information systems; and Outsourcing of services.

18. Let us Reflect for a while..

19. REFLECTION – Simply Imagine! KADUNA  in 2050

20. REFLECTION – Simply Imagine! Road from Kafanchan to Zaria linking Kano and Sokoto in 2050

21. ABUJA 2050

22. Thank you& Have a wonderful day

23. Thank you for listening Facilitating Knowledge & Community Development through ICT • By Dr. Engr. Baba J Adamu, Ph.d • www.bjadamu.com