As part of efforts to expose the general public to the critical importance of digital technologies in understanding the effect and impact of COVID-19 on the daily lives and activities of most Nigerians especially the women and children, the community of Nigeria’s Internet stakeholders under the aegis of Nigeria Internet Government Forum (vNIGF) will be hosting a virtual meeting experience on the 23rd and 24th of September, 2020.
This was made known in a press release made available to CEOAFRICA on Thursday September 10, 2020, issued by the Chair of the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (NIGF MAG), who confirmed that the 9th annual edition of the NIGF organized by the NIGF MAG will hold virtually on the above date.
The NIGF which shall be discussing the theme, “Achieving Inclusive Digital Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era” from both the business and policy communities, has a focus to shift from shaping a resilient internet for societal sustainability to understanding the impact and effect of coronavirus on the activities of most Nigerians especially women and youths. Also at the meeting, there will be a high level panel discussion on the 2020 to 2030 Digital Economy Strategy.
The organizer, NIGF MAG, comprises stakeholders from the various Federal Ministries of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Internet Society Nigeria Chapter (ISOC NG), and DigitalSENSE Africa Media (DSA), in partnership with other local internet stakeholders.
The vNIGF 2020 will be featuring prominent speakers such as the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, who will be giving the keynote address.
Other confirmed speakers for the event are but not limited to the founder and CEO of MainONe, Ms. Funke Opeke; Chair of IGF MAG, Anriette Esterhuysen; coordinator of WAIGF, Mrs. Mary Uduma; Prof. of UI, Prof. Adenike Osofisan; Dr. of Swansea University, Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo; Member of High Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youths, Dr. Wunmi Hassan; coordinator of YouthIGF-NG, Ufa Modey.
It is essential to note that the event for the 23rd of September is dedicated to the Youths and women while the main event is slated for 24th of September and will have Dr. Pantami give the keynote address.
Members of the public from both public and private sectors, civil societies, intergovernmental organizations, academia and internet end-users have been however urged to register for free to enable them attend the event live on the NGIF official website on https://2020.igf.ng and via her other social media platform through @NigeriaIGF.
The attendance is also free and upon registration, participants will receive the events notification and updates. They will be given a free access to the digital edition of the event’s report with a host of other benefits.
Following the huge success recorded from the previous year’s edition, the vNIGF 2020 promises to be much more interesting giving the array of the year’s lineup activities that can be fully accessed from the website.