Mr Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communication, says the Federal Government is highly committed to supporting and promoting creative ideas and products like the e-paper vendor.
The minister said this in his address at the formal launch of the e-Paper Vendor, a PDF newspaper services by the “Be Better Centre’’ on Thursday in Abuja.
“Be Better Centre’’ is an organisation that provides e-paper newspaper online.
Shittu said that the ministry had four critical mandates, which it was fanatical and frantically making efforts to ensure its viability.
“To facilitate universal, ubiquitous and cost effective access to communication infrastructure throughout the country; to also promote the utilisation of ICT in all spheres of life to optimise the communication infrastructure.
“Thirdly, to promote and facilitate the development of ICT industry and increase the contribution of ICT industry to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“Lastly, to utilise ICT to drive transparency in government and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of public sector delivery in the country,’’ the minister said.
He congratulated Mr Anthony Oni, the Executive Director of `Be Better Centre’ and his team for working tirelessly to ensure that the project became a reality.
He added that the e-paper vendor had contributed significantly in helping the ministry to achieve its four-point mandates.
“The PDF Newspaper supports our mandate to ensure that ICT is used as a vehicle of change to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of public service delivery in the country.
“The service allows MDAs to purchase newspapers at significant cost saving over 80 per cent off the price of physical newspapers.
“It also promoted the utilisation of technology and help us earn foreign exchange from newspaper readers abroad, who can now access Nigerian newspaper in digital form,’’ Shittu said.
Shittu was represented at the launch by his Special Assistant on Digital Media and Communication, Mr Akim Yusuf.
(Punch)
