The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has called on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies in Nigeria to support the economic diversification efforts of the federal government, by deploying ICT solutions for the enhancement of agricultural and mining sectors.
Ngige made the call at a recent meeting with the Abuja Managing Director of Huawei Technologies, Mr. Tank Liteng, and other employees and stakeholders of the company.
He said: “We urge you to support the diversification efforts of the Federal Government by deploying Information and Com munications Technology into agriculture and mining. These areas are largely untapped and we have a comparative economic advantage therein. Your assistance in these two sectors can help Nigeria gen erate additional revenue need ed to reflate the economy.”
The minister expressed hope that international organisations doing business in the country would take a cue from Huawei, “who has clearly shown their support to President Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra.”
According to him, Nigeria is currently facing an economic downturn, “which even the developed countries of the world would have witnessed at one time or the other.”
Addressing Liteng, the minister said, “Your country China has passed through it but emerged for reasons of hard work and resilience. Nigeria shall certainly weather this storm and emerge a stronger and more prosperous nation.”
Ngige also commended Huawei for its set of corporate social responsibility activities in Nigeria, which include the initiative to train 2000 youths in ICT.
The minister confirmed that he was fully aware that the selection process for the training had commenced.
Liteng stated that Huawei was committed to being a responsible corporate citizen, saying, “The training initiative is premised on the human capital development of the Nigerian youths in Information Technology.”
This year marks the second edition of the Huawei ICT training programme in the country.
