Minister urges youths to harness opportunities in digital economy

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ali Pantami, has urged youths in the country to harness the opportunities in digital economy for societal wellbeing.

Pantami made the call while delivering a virtual keynote address at a social media influencers’ summit on Thursday in Kano.

Represented by Executive Director, Universal Service Provision Fund, Mr Yush’a Ayuba, the minister said that digital economy would contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of the citizenry if well explored.

He expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for effective citizen-participation in digital economy.

“We have a tool that can be deployed in all aspects of human endeavour, including governance. It is now left for us to make good use of it.

“As a government, we are ready to support the outcome of this summit to the advantage of the people,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr Chris Kwaja, a researcher at Centre for Peace and Conflict Management, urged youths develop skills that would enable them tap into the digital age.

He described social media as one of the greatest transformation witnessed in human society.

“It has become a major catalyst for production and sharing of ideas and information across virtual networks and communities.

“It is important for us to make effective use of the opportunities that go with this technology,” he said.

In his address, Dr Yunusa Zakariyau, Executive Director, Centre for Information, Technology and Development(CITD), called for a more productive and positive use of the social media.

“It will be beneficial to the society if the social media is used to enthrone positive changes.

“If well-utilised, social media can be used to address challenges and enthrone positive developments,” he said.

It was reported that the summit, orgsnised by Centre for Information and Development (CITAD), with support from MacArthur Foundation, aimed to orientate youths on the use of social media for good governance and national development.