Nokia, Microsoft, Dalberg partner on agro job creation forum

The trio of Nokia, Microsoft and Dalberg recently hosted Innovation for Vision 20:2020 Forum to boost Nigeria’s economy and to stimulate discussion about the role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT’s) and innovation in catalyzing development last December in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially in agriculture and job creation.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that phone manufacturer, Nokia, in partnership with leading software maker, Microsoft and Dalberg Global Development Advisors organized a full day forum to discuss ways the ICT sector could impact agriculture, job creation and the power sector in achieving Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 goals.

The forum reportedly stimulated discussion around how information and communication technologies and local innovations could be used for improving the performance of the agriculture, entrepreneurial and energy sectors and what barriers exist for unleashing creativity both within public and private domains for making these solutions a reality.

Speaking, the Microsoft’s General Manager for Nigeria Emmanuel Onyeje said “it is important to build our understanding and knowledge about the power of ICT’s, but only action will allow us to reach our dreams. We need to move from policies to actionable programs that benefit the people.”

Also speaking, Mr. Robin Miller, Manager and ICT subject expert for Dalberg explained that the primary criterion for choosing the agricultural, entrepreneurship and the power sectors is due to their unique ability to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

‘’Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa with potential for global competitiveness. As such, we must look beyond the traditional solutions and recognize ICT innovation as a cornerstone of the country’s development,” she said.

The forum highlighted the current global thinking about the role of technology and innovation in driving national competitiveness, economic growth and social development. The forum brought together policy makers, local innovators, academics and private sector to join forces in developing the Nigerian innovation society and to build bridges between sectors. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration and demonstrated in practice how each stakeholder group has a role to play in reaching national development objectives.

The forum finished with the participants themselves presenting their solutions and recommendations for way forward. Excited Nokia’s Vice President for Corporate Relations Jussi Hinkkanen, noted that with the results of the day “Reaching of Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 objectives will require collaboration and alignment across stakeholders.

Private sector, Hinkkanen said, is ready to contribute to this process as we have seen today. The identified solutions showed maturity and now we need to action on them”.

The occasion was graced by the Honourable Minister of Communication and Technology, Mrs. Omobala Johnson under whose patronage the event was organized.

 

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