Governor Emmanuel Seeks Partnership With Chinese ICT Firm
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has met with Officials of Huawei Technologies from the Peoples Republic of China to explore ways of partnership in Information Communication Technology (ICT) development in the area of Education, Health, Governance and Enterprise.
Speaking during the meeting at Government House in Uyo, Governor Emmanuel thanked them for taking interest in partnering with his administration, assuring that there are various areas available for the partnership.
He said he was especially interested in the area of Information Communication Technology, which is a major driver of development the world over.
Governor Emmanuel recounted that when Huawei came into Nigeria, it focused on the telecommunications sector, and cited his role in the company’s success with major financial institutions in the country.
“I am happy you said you can discuss areas of Education, Health, Governance and Enterprise. Today, once you look at the 10 richest human beings on Planet earth, at least 60-70% of them will be ICT related. I am a businessman, I go where money is, so I follow money to where money is, if money is in ICT, I follow money into ICT so that nobody leaves me behind.”
Governor Emmanuel expressed belief that the strategic partnership will be of immense value to the youths who are the major focus of his leadership.
The Governor was of the opinion that young bright people of Akwa Ibom origin can also make it into global limelight with the right technological facilities and instructors in place in the state.
Governor Emmanuel said his government has done a lot in exposing the youths to ICT and urged that the programmes of the Huawei team should gear towards embracing the youths.
He maintained that the state has an E-library with thousands of e-learning processes, and the necessary infrastructure to actually develop ICT platform here and for me a launch out to the rest of Africa.
“So if you can make Akwa Ibom an ICT hub, I’m sure you have the right partner where we can actually make that happen. This is an opportunity for me to also see a whole lot because once you give me a fibre, I can do a whole lot, Housing Estate, Education, E-Governance, everything runs on communication and ICT, so it’s a good development.”
Team leader and Managing Director, Partners Business unit of Huawei Technologies Company, Mr Ken Zhao Wenjun said Huawei came to seek strategic partnership with Akwa Ibom State Government, looking into different sectors
He maintained that Huawei is already number one in the telecom areas and is ranked the third best in the world in phones and tablets production.
He said their enterprise unit has succeeded through their collaboration with thousands of Partners.
The Investors were led by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof. Nse Udo Essien, accompanied by the Chairman of the Foreign Direct Investment Committee, Dr. Gabriel Ukpe, among others.
