By Joy Odor
The Senator representing Imo North Federal Constituency, Frank Ibezim has assured of President Buhari’s assent to the ICT bill, before May 29, date for handover to a new government.
Senator Ibezim made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja shortly after the public hearing on the Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establish the Institute of Information and Communication Technology Nsu, Ehime Mbano, Imo State and for other Matters Connected Therewith, 2023 (SB 1105).
Ibezim gave the assurance against the backdrop of concerns that there may be no time for the President to assent to the bill which he sponsored at a time the transition of the current administration to a new government is ongoing.
He further expressed optimism that President Buhari will sign the bill before leaving office because the proposed Institute of Information and Communication Technology is important and critical to nation building and a veritable tool for economic and socio-cultural development.
Earlier in his presentation at the public hearing on the bill, “Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Nsu, Imo State” by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security which was chaired by Senator Yakubu Oseni, Senator Ibezim stressed that ICT has become a major source of culture in businesses and other fields.
“Information Technology helps us to understand the workings of our immediate world. Social media, which is an integral part of ICT, is a major source of modern culture and entertainment and it requires us to learn and use critical thinking skills.
“Technology is extremely important in the workplace as a means of communication. Today’s businesses heavily rely on information technology, as it allows businesses to expand more quickly in view of access to proper means of promotion and innovation.”
Meanwhile, the public hearing report of the bill is expected to be submitted to the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
