By Adedeji Fakorede
Federal government has joined prominent ICT investors in the country to commend Microsoft Nigeria various initiatives aimed at helping improve the country’s global ICT competitiveness.
Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry Architect Sonny Echono, expressed the FG’s delight with the domestication of Microsoft’s operations in the country which led to its current expansion drives with new digital office located at the Iconic Civic Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the Minister, Nigeria is the centre of attractions as Africa has been globally acknowledged for its economic promise.
He said that, Microsoft has shown steady drive to invest in that promise through her numerous youth, entrepreneurs, developers, and business and civic leaders’ programmes and investments to turn great ideas into a reality that can help their community, their country, the continent and beyond.
He pledged FG’s commitment to part the technology giant in the areas of fight against software piracy, National security, job and value creations, all geared towards GDP growth.
On his part, Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank, extolled Microsoft’s pioneering and foresights on IT development, adding that Zenith Bank will continue to part with them for greater impact on the economy.
He said that, Microsoft is a trailblazer with its expansion plans and has been sacrosanct with regards empowering the young people in the country.
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According to Ovia, Zenith Bank has queued into the drive by engaging some interns mentored by Microsoft Nigeria team.
On her part, Ms. Funke Opeke, CEO of MainOne Cable Company Nigeria Limited, said they are happy to associate with the global brand.
Opeke said that since both companies entered into datacentre cloud services agreement, the clients have witnessed zero downtime due to Microsoft’s rugged solutions deployed for the purpose.
She described the new office as will help improve Microsoft’s relationship with the operators who are also willing to achieve more in the nearest future.
Earlier, Kabelo Makwane, managing director, Microsoft Nigeria, said that in her over 15 years of operation in Nigeria, Microsoft has always primed global competitive with local relevance as its primary role in the nation’s ICT sector.
He said that such programmes as Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative was a deliberate effort through which the company has been actively engaged in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness.
He said that Microsoft has always been willing to help the government deepen its e-government, e-education and other aspects of economic growth.
He described the new office as well positioned to help Microsoft achieve more for and in the country.