Stakeholders in Adamawa State have hailed the National Digital Economy Bill, now before the National Assembly, as timely and indicative of Nigeria’s determination to move with the rest of the world.
The bill, fully identified as the National Digital Economy & E-Governance Bill, aims to create the right environment for digital transactions across the country. It is currently being taken to the 36 states both to formally introduce it to the people and to obtain their input for a possible review.
In Adamawa State, at an engagement in the capital, Yola, stakeholders who were drawn up in groups to take a close look at the hill and to highlight their views were anonymous that Nigeria needs the bill, even as they identified likely hitches if the bill gets passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by the President.
One of the discussion groups said the world has become a global village, making the bill most vital for Nigeria.
The group said all Nigerians must follow the trend of conducting government and other business transactions on e-platforms rather than on paper.
Individual dignitaries who received opportunities to deliver goodwill messages during the event echoed the opinions of the various groups that examined the bill.
In his address, the state commissioner of information and strategy, Hon Iliya James, reiterating Adamawa State government’s commitment to adopting digital governance policies, said digital transactions or e-governance, which the digital economy bill provides for, would boost economic growth and foster greater accountability in governance at all levels.
The majority leader in the Adamawa State House of Assembly and member representing Demsa constituency, Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno, also underscored the importance of digital transformation in improving governance and expanding access to public services.
In his closing remarks, the personal assistant to the minister of digital economy, Alhaji Dahiru Koiranga Jada, commended the stakeholders for their contributions and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to considering the engagement’s recommendations.
He announced that Adamawa is the 27th state to which the bill has been taken and submitted for critical review. In the days ahead, it will be taken to the remaining nine states, after which recommendations will be collated for a final review for due passage by the National Assembly.
