Former Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, has said that with internet facilities all over the place, if used at good speed would help develop the Nigerian economy.

He stated this during the 2018 Nigerian Online Merit Award (NiOMA) held on Friday night at Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. The theme of the event was ‘Leveraging the Internet Revolution to Leapfrog Nigeria’s Development’.

Ndukwe, who chaired the event, said that at the moment, technology rules the world and should be taken seriously by leader at all levels.

He said that although the internet had both negative and positive sides, the good impact outweighs the bad.

He said that it was important to harness the importance of technology and leverage on it.

“The telecom sector, for instance, is making a lot of good impact in the economy in terms of creating revenues for the government and also providing jobs for the unemployed.

“The government, however, should be lenient with high levies imposed on the telecom sector as regards the issue of right of way,” he said.

NAN reports that the NIOMA Awards was designed to celebrate outstanding individuals and corporate organisations driving the Nigerian online revolutions.

The best newspaper websites award went to Vanguard, The Guardian and Daily Trust, the best bank websites, on the other hand, went to Zenith Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Access Bank.

The best State website was won by Akwa Ibom State while the State innovative e-project of the year went to Abia State.

The e-Governor of the Year award went to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and ICT Icon of the Year was won by Mr Leo-Stan Ekeh, Chairman Zinox Group.

The Nigeria Communication Commission got the award for the best MDA Website of the Year.

•Excerpted from a NAN report.