Gov Ortom inaugurates Benue ICT council

Governor Samuel Ortom on Monday at the Conference Hall, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, inaugurated the Benue State Information Communication Technology (ICT) Council which would serve as an advisory body for the development and use of ICT in the state.

Performing the inauguration ceremony, Governor Ortom, represented by the SSG, Prof Anthony Ijohor said the council is saddled with the responsibilities of formulating and constantly updating the state ICT policy, designing and maintaining a roadmap for development of ICT in the state, collaborating with the Government and nongovernmental organizations in order to attract investments in ICT into the state and to facilitate ICT project management in the state.

He charged members of the council to be innovative and contribute effectively towards the realisation of the state’s aims of establishing the ICT council, assuring them of the state government’s total support.

Responding on behalf of the council, Honourable Commissioner for Energy, Science and Technology who doubles as the Chairman of the council, Dr Godwin Oyiwona promised not to let the state government down, adding that the world has become a global village through ICT and Benue State couldn’t afford to be left out in the global transformation.

Oyiwona further added that the council would help in injecting efficiency into the activities of the newly established Benue Geographical Information System, BENGIS, Payment System, field of medicine, security, agriculture through constant update on climatic conditions to farmers and effective communication among sister agencies in the state, thanking Governor Samuel Ortom for the innovation.

Members of the council include; Hon. Dr. Godwin Oyiwona, Commissioner for Energy, Science and Technology as Chairman, Hon David Olofu, Commissioner for Finance, Prof Dennis A. Ityavyar, Commissioner for Education (member), Hon.Mrs Ngunan Beeka Addingi, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism (Member), Hon.Barr Mike Gusah, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice(Member), Engr Jeffery Terhemba Udende, PSA to the Governor on ICT(member), Hon. Sam Unom, DG, Planning Commission (member), Mr. Bendega Benjamin Jila, NCS (member), Mr. Terna Abuul, ICT BSU, (member), Mr. Mike Idu, ICT Vendor (member), Mr. Attah Samson Igoche, ICT Entrepreneur (member), Engr Kelvin Tersoo Jiraji, ICT Innovative HUB expert (member) and Emmanuel Gange, ICT Director, Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology as Council’s Secretary.

By Olikita Ekani