Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has called on member nations of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) to be proactive in pursuance of the organisation’s objectives.
Pantami made the call at the on-going second General Assembly of the organisation in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Minister, who is a founding member of the Organisation’s Council, decried the current approach of tackling challenges as they occur but canvassed for a more proactive approach to issues.
He reiterated: “Most of the member states are developing countries and we need to change the trend to ensure that we are not just consumers in the digital economy sector but rather we are actively among the manufacturers, developers and innovators. The fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is all about proactiveness. No country in the world will develop its digital economy by maintaining a consumer status. We have the opportunities and potential to change the narrative and position ourselves as leaders in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, therefore, we must encourage innovation, manufacturing and development”.
The Digital Cooperation Organisation, of which Nigeria is a founding member, is aimed at bridging the digital and gender divide, according to a statement signed by Uwa Suleiman, Senior Special Assistant (Media) and Spokesperson to the Minister.