This Day (Lagos)
Samuel Famakinwa
1 December 2000
Lagos — The Federal Government has given a blanket approval to the world's leading information technology, IT, solutions provider, Microsoft, to support the government's objective of bridging the digital divide between Nigeria and the developed economies of the world.
In a meeting between President Olusegun Obasanjo and Microsoft officials early in the week, the President expressed his desire for Microsoft to help Nigeria develop its IT sector.
At the meeting which was attended by Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, Minister of State for Science and Technology. Mrs. Pallen Tallen, as well as the Microsoft team of Messrs. Emre Berkin, Vice President, Middle East &Africa, Ali Hoballah, General Manager, West &Central Africa and Gerald Ilukwe, General Manager, Nigeria office, Microsoft was given approval to go to any length to assist Nigeria as long as national security is not at risk.
Speaking to THISDAY before the official launch of Microsoft Nigeria office last Tuesday, Emre Berkin disclosed that the software giant is opening its Nigerian office as a result of recent correspondence between Microsoft Chairman, Mr. Bill Gates, and President Obasanjo.
According to him, "No one can argue the importance of IT as it plays a vital role in the development of a nation.
He stated that the opening of the Nigerian office was good news for Nigeria as it would hasten the economic well-being of the country and that of Nigerians.
He noted that Nigeria has a lot of advantages which include a large percentage of young population, the country is English-speaking while the field is very attractive and suitable. However, he noted that the major challenge that would face Nigeria would be that of infrastructure.
Also speaking at the office launch, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Isoun, said that "this administration believes in co-operation and collaboration with the private sector in pursuit of the principle of running a private sector-led economic growth".
The minister, who was represented by Engr. Muhammad Tukur Ahmed, Director, Technology Acquisition and Assessment in the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the government was receiving the establishment of the Nigerian subsidiary of Microsoft with great enthusiasm.
Isoun said the assurance of Microsoft Nigeria to support the government's objective of bridging the digital divide between Nigeria and the rest of the world.was even more gratifying to note
"To this end, I can assure the management of Microsoft Nigeria that there will be sustained interest of my Ministry in the formulation of policies that would promote rapid growth of the IT industry in Nigeria. My Ministry will continue to act as a focal point for the growth of the IT industry in Nigeria", he added.
He noted that the process of producing a comprehensive National IT Policy which will guide in the conduct of the development of the IT sector in Nigeria is on target.
"As a respected member of the comity of nations, Nigeria will abide by the terms of fair business practices, including of course, the intellectual and industrial property rights", he added.
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