The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, was represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Dr Abimbola Alale, at the one-day Stakeholders Engagement on Children and Youth at Risk, that held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The Forum was organised by the “At Risk Children Project,” under the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on Social Investment. The Special Advisor, Hajiya Maryam Uwais, welcomed the stakeholders present. She explained the objective of the engagement, which was to work with relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), project teams and young persons to identify ways to better serve the needs of children and youth at risk. She also gave an overview of the At Risk Children Project.
While conveying the message of the Honourable Minister to the meeting, Dr Alale said broadband access is key to the future of digital economy and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy supports the development and equipping of the youth with IT skills. She said that the National Broadband Policy captures and reflects intervention programmes of the Communications & Digital Economy Ministry targeted at the youth, with particular reference to Pillars 2, 5, 7 & 8 bordering on digital literacy & skills, digital services development & promotion, digital society & emerging technologies, and, indigenous content development & adoption. She also informed that youth already trained are using the skills acquired positively.