Yemisi Izuora
Nigeria is vying for two leadership positions in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said.
A statement issued in Abuja on Monday said Danbatta presented Nigeria’s bid for Director, Telecommunications Development Bureau of the ITU and a bid for re-election into the ITU’s Administrative Council at a dinner organised for the ITU Secretary-General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, and other elected officials of the global telecom regulatory body in Geneva on Sunday.
Danbatta was quoted to have noted that Nigeria had had a long standing relationship with the ITU while contributing in no small way to the activities of the union.
He said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I now formally present to you Nigeria’s twin candidature for re-election into the ITU Administrative Council and Mr. William Ijeh for the position of Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU, for your support.
“Nigeria is one of the highest financial contributors to the ITU in the African region and a major player in the ITU Telecom World activities for many years. I can assure you that Nigeria will continue to reinforce its cooperation with the ITU.”
He expressed the country’s further commitment toward the development of telecommunication and Information and Communications Technology as well as making them readily available to its entire citizens at affordable rates.
Danbatta said Ijeh’s work experience at the ITU for over 21 years in various strategic positions, including the BDT, the General Secretariat, and the radio communication bureau could not be ignored.
He said the candidate had been instrumental to many decisions and developmental activities within the ITU.
“Prior to joining the ITU, Ijeh had worked for other inter-governmental organisations where he was primarily responsible for project development and management with emphasis on developing countries.”
Danbatta gave the assurance that Ijeh would apply his diplomatic skills in negotiations and be in a position to interact with government officials at the highest level.