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A Professor of Sustainable Finance and Governance at the European University Institute, Italy and Visiting Professor of Leadership and Financial Markets in Africa at the London School of Economics, United Kingdom, Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, has identified the Digitisation as the best passport to the global economy.
Amaeshi who is also the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of Imo State, made this assertion while speaking on a Webinar, a biweekly program sponsored by the office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of Imo State on the topic, “Digital Economy opportunities in Imo State”, which runs simultaneously on Orient FM, 94.5FM and Ozisa FM, 96.1 FM from 11:30am -12:30 pm every Saturday.
According to Amaeshi, the Digital Economy allows people to access products and services as well as create wealth through social media and e-commerce using the appropriate applications.
Earlier in his remarks, host of the program and Commissioner for Science and Technology in the Imo State, Professor Boniface Nworgu commended Amaeshi on the rare initiative he brought to Imo State in a bid to unveil the hidden potentials in the State adding that one of the core mandates of his Ministry included digital economy and expressed delight to be part of the program.
He stated that Information Communication Technology (ICT), is one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration of the State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma adding that Digital Economy in the state has been accorded national recognition.
According to Nworgu, President Muhammadu Buhari , recently appointed Governor Uzodimma a member of the National Digital Economy based on the prowess and successes recorded in digital economy in Imo State.
Nworgu however, stressed the need to extend the digital economy opportunities to the rural areas for the exploration of the rural dwellers whom he identified as the potential beneficiaries of the initiative.
Speaking during the program, one of the Panelists, and Country Manager, Elev8 Nigeria, Mr. Nsikak John, described digital economy as a world-wide internet technology creator and enabler which enhances the exchange of values.
Nsikak was of the view that ownership of a mobile phone that can connect to the internet is a gold mine as it affords one the opportunity of doing business locally and globally without moving from place to place.
He identified E-commerce as having the capacity to add about 25 percent or more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year, 2025.
In a separate contribution, another Panelist and President/CEO, OPay Nigeria, Mr. Olu Akanmu, stressed the need for all to have access to the internet as to be relevant in the digital economy as well as wealth creation.
According to him, operating bank accounts and other financial transactions are made easy through the digital economy as one can stay in his/her house to perform all forms of financial transactions including opening of accounts.
Akanmu said OPay as a financial institution, exists virtually in all the states of the federation including Imo State and that agents of OPay are everywhere in the state for everyone to access funds/make deposits.
In her own contribution, another Panelist and Marketing Manager, MX Division Samsung Electronics, Mrs. Omolade Agbadaola said that the digital economy has a lot to do with the mobile phones. She was of the opinion that mobile phone applications allow one to transact businesses with ease.
According to her, mobile phones afford one the opportunity to showcase goods and services including agricultural products. She was of the opinion that modern advertising is made easier through the use of the social media. In her words, ” a good phone is an asset to advertising.”
Another Panelist and Chief Executive Officer, Asante Financial Services, Mr. Chidi Okpala said, Digital Economy creates enabling environment for businesses to be accessed as well as reducing credit sales.
He identified development of skills for the apps as a veritable way of making success in the digital economy. In his words, ” people go through the apps and book appointments for goods and services and payments are made online for such goods and services thereby reducing the chances of of transacting on credit.
According to him, “one can develop apps for his/her goods and services for others to access and make online bookings ” he concluded.