By Emma Okonji
The Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye has promised to put Nigeria on the global map of digital revolution through youth empowerment.
He gave the assurance in Lagos during the celebration of his 85th birthday anniversary and book launch. Durojaiye said he would use his position as the chairman of NCC Board to get the support of board members on his vision to empower Nigerian youths on digital training that will enable them compete favourably with the rest of the world in the area of digital revolution that is currently sweeping across the globe.
According to him, lots of talented Nigerian youths are jobless and roaming the streets looking for job opportunities, whereas they could be trained on digital technology that will make them productive and globally competitive.
“NCC will offer training to Nigerian youths that are jobless and roaming the streets. The training will be focused on digital technology to develop their innate ability and talents to do more exploits for themselves and for the nation. We are currently planning to conduct aptitude test to select the best among them and provide training for them that will further enhance their skills,” Durojaiye said.
He further added that the essence of the training is to prepare the youths for the current global digital revolution.
President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu, were among the prominent Nigerians who extolled the NCC Board Chairman on his birthday anniversary and book launch, titled: Durojaiye: Dare to Be Different’,
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, felicitated with the NCC boss on his 85th birthday and wished him good health in his old age and years to come.
Sirika described Durojaiye as a true Nigerian that believes in democracy and the rule of law. He said Durojaiye had always advised people who wanted to attain greatness in life to always try and do something that is different from the lifestyle of their role model. It is only in doing so that people can add value to the accomplishments of their role model.
Tinubu who was represented by the former Minister of Defense, Senator Demola Seriki, said Durojaiye is one man that has sacrificed so dearly for Nigeria in ensuring that the country enjoys democracy and the rule of law.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, commended the NCC boss for his leadership style, which he said has helped in directing the affairs of NCC as a telecoms regulator. “He is a team leader and a good man that has brought harmony between the board and the NCC staff,” Danbatta said.
Other dignitaries that extolled the NCC boss were the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, serving commissioners of Lagos State, and high chiefs from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, where the NCC boss hails from.
Reviewing the 224 page-book, with eleven chapters, the book reviewer, Mr. Kayode Komolafe said the book profiled the achievements of Durojaiye and his lifestyle in civil service, public service and in politics, designed to help the younger generation to understand the history of Nigerian democracy, and those that fought for it. He said the book discussed the resilience of the NCC boss when he was in the civil and public service as well as in politics.
