The Founder of the Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja, Prof. Adamu Abubakar-Gwarzo, has supported the Image Merchants Promotion Limited, IMPR, with the sum of two million naira over the publication of two books.
The books are: “Pantami: The Trials and Triumphs of a Digital Economy Maestro,” written by Mal. Yushau Shuaib, Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, and “eNaira Revolution: A Peep into Nigeria’s Cashless Future,” authored by Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, Managing Editor of Economic Confidential.
Mr Gwarzo, who is also the Founder of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger and Nigeria and Franco British International made the financial donation at the maiden Economic Confidential Public Lecture and Book Presentation.
Represented by Dr. Abdullahi Sufi, the Director of Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation (AAG Foundation), Mr Gwarzo commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali-Pantami, for revolutionizing Nigeria’s digital economy sector, making ICT to now contribute the highest GDP to the country’s economy.
The public lecture and book presentation event, organized by the Image Merchants Promotion Limited, IMPR, – publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential – was themed: “Economic Diversification in an Evolving Cashless Society”.
At the event, experts also advocated a ‘diversified economy’ for Nigeria.
In his remarks, Mr Pantami emphasized the need for Nigeria to build a knowledge-based economy.
He, however, said that such an ‘ambitious dream’ could only be realized through developing brilliant policy initiatives in the country’s digital economy sector.
While highlighting the importance of economic diversification in an evolving cashless society, the minister pointed out that the world countries excelling in digital technology are also the trailblazers in economic development.
He said that countries like the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and India, with a combined GDP of $100 trillion, leveraged their natural resources to build a knowledge-based economy through digital technology, which is essential for economic diversification.
Mr Pantami also disclosed that Nigeria is one of the African countries participating in the fourth industrial revolution, which is currently underway, arguing that the country needed to move away from its reliance on oil and other natural resources.
“Building a knowledge-based economy can create jobs and reduce poverty, while improving economic competitiveness.
“It is therefore imperative for Nigeria to invest in digital infrastructure, improve digital literacy, and support innovation and entrepreneurship to promote a knowledge-based economy,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Mohammed Shehu, stressed the need for Nigeria to diversify her economy.
Mr Shehu, who also chaired the dual event hosted by Economic Confidential, observed that Nigeria could not continue to run a mono-economy while other nations have since stopped depending on petrol to drive their economy.
He said: “Nigeria should better diversify. Lest it sinks. We cannot continue in the trajectory of relying on crude oil.
“By the way, Nigeria is getting most of her money now from taxes, customs and other non-oil revenue sources, with the NNPC contributing less than 5% of what is shared across the federation.”
In his review of the book on Mr Pantami, Jaafar Jaafar, the Publisher of the DAILY NIGERIAN, commended the minister for making positive contributions to the economic development of Nigeria.
The reviewer said some of the topics he found very interesting and intriguing were seemingly controversial.
Mr Jaafar said, as one who marveled at Mr Pantami’s erudition in both Islamic and Western education, he (reviewer) was appalled by the controversy that trailed the minister’s elevation to the rank of a Professor by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO.
“While I am aware that he is a person with an aversion for being addressed as a “Sheikh”, in line with his deepest humility, I had expected the minister to, in like manner, cast away the pulpy endocarp of the mango to rid off the flies that were then swarming around.”
Mr Jaafar added that the author also chronicled the feats achieved by Mr Pantami as communications minister since 2019, to include: the implementation of broadband connectivity across the country, reinvigorating Nigeria’s digital economy sub-sector, and the empowerment of citizens’ ICT skills.
Others are: the implementation of a Digital Identity Programme, the implementation of a National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, digitalizing government functions and processes, as well as deployment of 4G across the country.
Dignitaries at the event included top public functionaries, academics, media executives and politicians.
