The Attention of the media organization of Senator Dr Stephen Adi Odey, has been drawn to an infantile and malicious outburst by Hon. Jarigbe Agom on TV, all in a frivolous attempt to continue his usual stock in trade. This is an effort in futility! Even though, it is not in our character to respond to such hogwash but this has become necessary to put the record straight.
Let it be clearly noted that the so called press briefing remains a demented hallucination that is legally unfounded as it is ladened with propaganda, falsehood and desperate attempt to mislead the unsuspecting public.
In the light of the above, we urge all our supporters and the good people of Cross River Northern District to disregard his tales as there is no threat to the seat of Distinguished Senator Dr Stephen Adi Odey, ably representing the good people of CRN. Senator Odey remains unperturbed, undaunted and resilient. His worries are on how to better the lots of his constituents which he is working assiduously to actualise.
Meanwhile, we appeal to our supporters not to join issues with him and his cohorts as he is at the final stage of Desperation that is close to madness.
Is it a Senator that was duly elected, issued with a genuine certificate of return, took oath of office and duly sworn in as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that he is derogating? Or is he not ashamed of himself of the revelation which has pushed him to resort to self help using his friends and thugs to invade the senate after every failed criminal attempt to forge Supreme Court and Court of Appeal enrollment orders.
It is high time Jarigbe understood that he has long been defeated and in the spirit of sportsmanship he should congratulate Sen. Stephen Odey. He did not pass through all electoral processes in accordance with Electoral act 140 (2) 2010, so has not and cannot be declared Senator.
The Distinguished Senator Odey is poised to give the best to the good people of Cross River Northern Senatorial District and he urges everyone to remain calm.
It would be recalled that the bill was first read in the Senate Chamber on Thursday, February 11, 2021.
The Bill as read by Distinguished Senator Stephen Odey Ph D, the second time…
Information and communication technology cannot be overlooked in the 21st century without dare consequences. The world has long moved from an analogue model to a digital one; and this digitalisation of human activities keep assuming different dimensions daily with the launch of diverse computer software and programme. In order not lag behind, Nigeria must pay particular attention to the development of information and communication technology (ICT).
The government of Nigeria, the private sector and Nigerians spend homoguous amount of money yearly to purchase softwares and maintain social network accounts developed by youths of other nations. Apart from being a risk to our digital safety, this is another means through which our scarce foreign reserve gets depleted.
In recognition of digital economy in the global stage, the Ministry of Communication was renamed Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy on 17th October, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari has taken a path which we must follow. Our nation is not short of youths who can be trained to become professionals in the area of information and communication technology. We must ensure that we provide a conducive atmosphere for such specialised training in order to assist them in solving our local problems in particular ways and in exporting their talents to other nations which will in turn positively impact on our economy.
This bill, seeks to establish the Institution of Information and Communication Technology Ogoja, which has been vested with the following powers among others:
To provide full-time and part-time courses in Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Technology, Applied Sciences, Management Sciences, and other fields of study leading to the award of Ordinary National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Certificate in specialised programmes.
Provide facilities and encourage the faith in all these areas of focus to aid the development of Nigeria in the area of industry, commerce, technology and engineering.
To provide the well developed and articulate technical education through consistent research development and constant contact with renowned institution and appropriate industry.
To provide appropriate training and vocational dexterity for a self-reliant and focused Nigerian students and also to provide industrial skills for those who want to be employers of labour or gainfully employed.
Mr President, Distinguished colleagues, to further underscore the importance of this bill, in his contribution to the debate in a similar bill brought by my Distinguished colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Uba on the floor of this hollowed chamber, Senator Smart Adeyemi pointed out that, it is imperative that an ICT institute be established in all the six geopolitical zones of this country.
Mr President, Distinguished colleagues, the world has gone digital and we must act fast to advance with the world.
For the Ogoja people in Cross River North Senatorial District and indeed all Nigerian youths and job seekers, the establishment of this institute will solve myriad of problems such as creating employment opportunities for our teeming youths aside the conducive atmosphere to advance in the ICT world.
Ogoja is being ravaged by poverty and under-development having been constantly deprived of the opportunity of becoming a state. Inspite of being one of the first provinces in Nigeria, our poverty situation is dire. The establishment of this institution will ease their burden to a reasonable extend. Taking into cognisance our growing need to tap into the advantages offered by ICT and the need for the nation to move with the times, I urge us all, highly respected distinguished colleagues to do all we possibly can do to set up specialised institutions to catter for our information and Communication sector.
I believe very strongly that posterity will be kind to us if we decide to take this path. ICT is the trending best practice the world over and an institute specially designated for this purpose should be a welcome development.
In line with order 77 sub 3 of the Senate Standing Order 2015 as amended, the compendium of the financial implications of the establishment of the Institute is hereby attached.
Following from all that I have said, I therefore humbly solicit your support for the second reading of this bill.
Thank you immensely Mr President and Distinguished colleagues.
augustineodey 