ICT Development (Gateway to Digital Superhighway)

Ogun, the gateway State has caught the dream of the information superhighway. With a highly educated citizenry at home and in the Diaspora, Ogun State has all it takes to create a knowledge-based economy with global linkages. Opportunities abound in the State for replicating the model that has made Bangladesh a household name in the global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) revolution.

 

The State has joined in the global Information and communication Technology (ICT) revolution with the introduction of e-Governance by the State Administration. The availability of cyber café in most towns and institutions of higher learning in the State further support this progress ive revolution.

 

The Global System for Mobile communication with extensive services provided by private telephone companies such as MTN, GLOBACOM, AND CELTEL are available in the State.

 

Other means of Communication are the State and the Federal Government owned Radio and Television Stations as well as private operators. Signals of the Gateway Radio, Gateway Television (GTV), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abeokuta , the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ijebu Ode and the Paramount FM Radio Station of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigerian (FRCN) are widely received in the State.

 

The Gateway Television and the Gateway Radio have been connected to the global village and can now be viewed and listed to on the internet, while a digital village was established in the Year 2006 in collaboration with National Information Development Agency (NIITDA).

 

In Ogun State significant results have been achieved over a relatively short period since the new Administration made a commitment to ICT as one of its cardinal governance tools. These include effective interface with key actors including effective interface with key actors including ICT professionals, investors, manufacturers, marketers and regulators; development of an ICT Policy and management information system; identification of technology Partners and achievement of sectoral linkages as well as completion of short-term projects and identification of medium/ long term viable projects.

 

An ICT Unit in the Governor's Office is responsible for developing and implementing global policy and management of the interface between the State Government and key participants and partners. Within this unit, groups of individuals/companies are organized and contracted to drive priority projects and develop vital infrastructure from a Project Management Office. In addition, Ogun State has established Gateway Technology Company (GTC) a market institution that will drive State ICT initiatives and represent its investment vehicle.

 

Also to enhance the ICT activities in the State, comes the established of Gateway ICT … your access to the world . The GICT enables organizations to gain full advantage of IT to increase efficiencies, improve effectiveness and reach new goals.
The Gateway ICT (GICT) is the first government owned company in the country to have a computer manufacturing plants. GICT Computers manufactured by GICT Limited has become an household computer system that is being used in and outside the state. Also the GICT develops softwares of various categories depending on the needs of the lients.

 

Flagship of ICT Projects include:

-Implementation of an e Solution to the Administration of Salaries and Pension to clean up the Civil Service Database and eliminate “Ghost workers”

-The South West Resource Centre-the nucleus of the nation's first ICT Centre

-Enhanced public access to Government through effective e-information and communication exchange between the Government and the people

-Integrating ICT into the School Curriculum and the Education Reform Agenda

 

In Ogun State, ICT is currently being effectively deployed towards building Human resources capacity in the Public Service through the implementation and support of innovative technical solutions for public service through the implementation and support of innovative technical solutions for public servants; creative utilization of multimedia electronic materials and encouragement of collaborative projects across sectors and development of critical thinking skills in creative learning environments (Retreats, workshops, seminars etc)

Medium Term Projects include mobile internet van, Enterprise Technology Centre (Technolabs School-Net (Computers for schools), Digital PABX/MTN direct connect, Community Resource Centre, Abeokuta, IT Village (Silicon Valley @ Sagamu Interchange), Multipurpose community Telecentre in all Local Government Ares, Local/ Wide Area Networks for e-governance, GSM franchising (sales & service outlets); and Telecom backbone development.

Business unusual in the ICT driven Ogun State economy will deliver a highly enabled environment that will deliver a highly enabled environment that will encourage and facilitate entry of potential investors, generate employment and support poverty eradication. For operators, Ogun State offers good potential market and identified customer base (prepaid) availability of land (without strings), good interconnect facilities.

The computerization and Administration of Salaries and Pension (CASP) is responsible for the availability of verified and up-to date information of all public servants in Ogun State in a secured, structured and easily accessible format.

The Ogun State Government also established three ICT Polytechnics and One ICT institute with the necessary legislation. The polytechnics are located at Saapade in Remo North, Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North, Igbesa in Ado-Odo/Ota and the ICT Institute is located at the Olabisi Onabanjo University , Ibogun Campus. The Simeon Adebo library has been computerized with digitalized catalog of its resources materials which makes it easier and faster to access books, journals and other materials.