The Vice Chairman/CEO of 21st Century Technologies Limited, Mr. Wale Ajisebutu has said it decided to partnered with the Ogun State government to execute State Digital Economic Empowerment Project (OGDEP) because the project will transform the state and its citizens.
The communications service provider had earlier this week injected close to $75 Million to the project in the expectation that the initiative would see the economy of Ogun state grow by an additional $100 billion.
Speaking at the unveiling of the project, Mr. Wale affirmed that the initiative would see all business sectors and citizens of Ogun state operate digitally, using fibre networks infrastructure, knowledge infrastructure and marketing and network.
“The network infrastructure will facilitate GSM services, financial inclusion, data storage, development of innovative ideas by startups and universities. This would also enable place Ogun State in the heart of the 4th industrial revolution where science, technology and social media are rapidly transforming the world, “ he highlighted.
The Ogun State Digital Economic Empowerment Project (OGDEP) was flagged off by Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo in the presence of Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami.
Representatives from the National Assembly and other industry stakeholders were also at the unveiling.
While commending the Ogun state government for taking a bold step in spearheading the move for an overall digital economy in the country, the Vice President acknowledged the urgent need to democratize access to the internet in the country, adding that digital technology is the future of all aspects of human existence.
“This project is a critical component of Mr. President’s objective of broadband connectivity for all by 2023. This ambition is now enshrined in our Economic Sustainability Plan. As part of the national commitment to make broadband connectivity available to all, you would recall that in 2017, the State Governors under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC) in 2017 agreed to harmonize right of way charges which is presently being worked on,” he narrated.
The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy launched the National Broadband Plan as its commitment to deliver data download speeds across Nigeria of a minimum 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas, with effective coverage available to at least 90% of the population by 2025 at affordable prices.
Osinbajo also commended 21st Century Technologies for its huge commitments to the project, adding that this would revolutionize every aspect of the socio-economic life of Ogun state.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has stated that the strategy of OGDEP was to provide broadband connectivity to every corner of Ogun State. “This is a joint project between our administration and our partner, 21st Century Technologies Limited, to deliver fiber-optic cables and mechanics across all our 20 Local Government Areas within the next two years,” he said.
He explained that the first phase of OGDEP is to establish a fibre optic network ring around the entire State that will ensure connectivity particularly for key educational institutions, government agencies and residents in unconnected and under-connected areas.